15th century manuscript for a digital age

THE Book of Lismore might not have been envisioned as an e-book or a handy little iPad app, yet the rare 15th century manuscript has much in common with 21st century communications, according to UCC president Michael Murphy.

Speaking yesterday at the launch of the first ever public exhibition of the book, being hosted at the university’s Glucksman Gallery, Dr Murphy compared digital enhancement of online and e-book texts with the care taken by scribes to produce works of great beauty and permanence.

“It is extraordinary to think that this vellum manuscript is making its first public appearance in the digital age. It was written by different scribes at different times and has been annotated and illustrated liberally, so the e-book has more in common with this medieval manuscript than, say a novel you will find in a book store.”

Compiled in the late 15th century to celebrate the marriage of the Gaelic chieftain Finghin Mac Cárthaigh Riabhach, of Kilbrittain Castle, to Caitilín, daughter of the seventh earl of Desmond, it later became known as Leabhar Mhic Cárthaigh Riabhaigh.

The book is on loan to UCC by the Duke of Devonshire, his son Lord Burlington and the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement Trust. Dr Murphy said the exhibition was the biggest story on campus since the flood in 2009.

Opening the exhibition, the Duke of Devonshire, whose Irish estate is centred on Lismore Castle, said he was delighted that the book would be exhibited in a place where the study of medieval Irish was held in such high esteem.

“My son William and I are both aware of the great privilege of being the present custodians of this remarkable book. When I received the initial request my response was one of great enthusiasm for the project.

“My father brought me up to be a very generous lender and I try to follow his good example. My family has had more than its share of good fortune and I am particularly proud that my grandfather donated the ogham stones that are now in the corridor of the quadrangle of this university — the earliest evidence of Irish scholarship which suggest a cultural connection with the Roman Empire. I like to think of them as a permanent link between my family and this college.”

Among a host of academics and historians attending the opening was Donal Brady, formerly Waterford County Librarian and the man who wrote the book of The Book of Lismore. He sees the manuscript as more important than the Book of Kells.

“It proves we had no Dark Ages in Ireland — apart from now. The Book of Kells was about artistry and calligraphy. The Book of Lismore is about content. It may not be as attractive but there are about one million beautiful words in it.”

Also there, appropriately, was Padraigh McCarthaigh, a direct descendent of Mhic Cárthaigh Riabhaigh. “It is a very exciting day for me,” he said, echoing the sense of near giddiness that attended the exhibition opening. The Glucksman Gallery director, Fiona Kearney, could hardly contain her excitement when she learned how impressed the Duke and his son were at the display. “They had a look early on and after the opening they wanted to go and see it again. I was thrilled,” she said.

The Book of Lismore Exhibition will remain on display at the Lewis Glucksman Gallery at UCC until the end of October.