Acallam na Senórach
Encyclopedia
Acallam na Senórach is an important prosimetric Middle Irish narrative dating to the last quarter of the 12th century. It is the most important text of the Fenian Cycle
and at about 8,000 lines is the longest surviving work of original medieval Irish literature
. It contains many Fenian narratives framed by a story in which the fianna
warriors Oisín
and Caílte mac Rónáin
have survived long enough to relate the tales to Saint Patrick
.
, the frame story
follows two aged Irish heroes as they travel Ireland
with a newly arrived Saint Patrick
. The pagans are Caílte mac Rónáin
, Fionn's nephew, and Oisín
, Fionn's son, both members of the famous warrior band the Fianna
. For most of the narrative Caílte is the more important informant of the two, regaling Patrick with tales of Fionn and his men and explaining place names
they encounter in the manner of another Irish work, the Dinsenchas.
The stories reiterate the greatness of Fionn and his departed age of heroes, often focusing on the rivalry between Fionn's family and that of his enemy Goll mac Morna
, which threatened the stability of the island. Other stories record the Fianna's relationship with the Otherworld
and the Tuatha Dé Danann
, while those involving Patrick often stress the importance of integrating the values and culture of pre-Christian Ireland with the new ways of the Church. Some of the individual tales may predate their inclusion in Acallam na Senórach, though the authors adapted them with an eye towards narrative unity.
Acallam na Senórach survives in four late manuscripts. Three are from the 15th century: MS Laud 610 and MS Rawlinson B487 from the Bodelian Library, and the Book of Lismore
. The fourth is a copy of MS A IV, Killiney, which dates to the 16th century. Several modern editions exist; the first complete English translation was that of Ann Dooley and Harry Roe, published by Oxford University in 1999.
has adapted the narrative into a one hour musical setting for solo guitar and chorus, performed under the title Acallam na Senórach. The work was premiered on 23 November, 2010 in Dublin by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland and Stewart French (guitar) under the direction of Paul Hillier
.
Fenian Cycle
The Fenian Cycle , also referred to as the Ossianic Cycle after its narrator Oisín, is a body of prose and verse centering on the exploits of the mythical hero Fionn mac Cumhaill and his warriors the Fianna. It is one of the four major cycles of Irish mythology along with the Mythological Cycle,...
and at about 8,000 lines is the longest surviving work of original medieval Irish literature
Irish literature
For a comparatively small island, Ireland has made a disproportionately large contribution to world literature. Irish literature encompasses the Irish and English languages.-The beginning of writing in Irish:...
. It contains many Fenian narratives framed by a story in which the fianna
Fianna
Fianna were small, semi-independent warrior bands in Irish mythology and Scottish mythology, most notably in the stories of the Fenian Cycle, where they are led by Fionn mac Cumhaill....
warriors Oisín
Oisín
Oisín , also spelt in English Ossian or Osheen, was regarded in legend as the greatest poet of Ireland, and is a warrior of the fianna in the Ossianic or Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology...
and Caílte mac Rónáin
Caílte mac Rónáin
Caílte mac Rónáin was a nephew of Fionn mac Cumhail and a member of the fianna in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He could run at remarkable speed and communicate with animals, and was a great storyteller...
have survived long enough to relate the tales to Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
.
Contents
Set several hundred years after the death of Fionn mac CumhaillFionn mac Cumhaill
Fionn mac Cumhaill , known in English as Finn McCool, was a mythical hunter-warrior of Irish mythology, occurring also in the mythologies of Scotland and the Isle of Man...
, the frame story
Frame story
A frame story is a literary technique that sometimes serves as a companion piece to a story within a story, whereby an introductory or main narrative is presented, at least in part, for the purpose of setting the stage either for a more emphasized second narrative or for a set of shorter stories...
follows two aged Irish heroes as they travel Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
with a newly arrived Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
. The pagans are Caílte mac Rónáin
Caílte mac Rónáin
Caílte mac Rónáin was a nephew of Fionn mac Cumhail and a member of the fianna in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He could run at remarkable speed and communicate with animals, and was a great storyteller...
, Fionn's nephew, and Oisín
Oisín
Oisín , also spelt in English Ossian or Osheen, was regarded in legend as the greatest poet of Ireland, and is a warrior of the fianna in the Ossianic or Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology...
, Fionn's son, both members of the famous warrior band the Fianna
Fianna
Fianna were small, semi-independent warrior bands in Irish mythology and Scottish mythology, most notably in the stories of the Fenian Cycle, where they are led by Fionn mac Cumhaill....
. For most of the narrative Caílte is the more important informant of the two, regaling Patrick with tales of Fionn and his men and explaining place names
Toponymy
Toponymy is the scientific study of place names , their origins, meanings, use and typology. The word "toponymy" is derived from the Greek words tópos and ónoma . Toponymy is itself a branch of onomastics, the study of names of all kinds...
they encounter in the manner of another Irish work, the Dinsenchas.
The stories reiterate the greatness of Fionn and his departed age of heroes, often focusing on the rivalry between Fionn's family and that of his enemy Goll mac Morna
Goll mac Morna
Goll mac Morna was a member of the fianna and an uneasy ally of Fionn mac Cumhail in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He had killed Fionn's father, Cumhal, and taken over the leadership of the fianna, but when Fionn grew up and proved his worth Goll willingly stepped aside in his favour.His...
, which threatened the stability of the island. Other stories record the Fianna's relationship with the Otherworld
Otherworld
Otherworld, or the Celtic Otherworld, is a concept in Celtic mythology that refers to the home of the deities or spirits, or a realm of the dead.Otherworld may also refer to:In film and television:...
and the Tuatha Dé Danann
Tuatha Dé Danann
The Tuatha Dé Danann are a race of people in Irish mythology. In the invasions tradition which begins with the Lebor Gabála Érenn, they are the fifth group to settle Ireland, conquering the island from the Fir Bolg....
, while those involving Patrick often stress the importance of integrating the values and culture of pre-Christian Ireland with the new ways of the Church. Some of the individual tales may predate their inclusion in Acallam na Senórach, though the authors adapted them with an eye towards narrative unity.
Acallam na Senórach survives in four late manuscripts. Three are from the 15th century: MS Laud 610 and MS Rawlinson B487 from the Bodelian Library, and the Book of Lismore
Book of Lismore
The Book of Lismore is a Medieval Irish manuscript.-Overview:The Book of Lismore is an Irish vellum manuscript, compiled in early 15th century, Lismore, Ireland. Its original name was Leabhar Mhic Cárthaigh Riabhaigh...
. The fourth is a copy of MS A IV, Killiney, which dates to the 16th century. Several modern editions exist; the first complete English translation was that of Ann Dooley and Harry Roe, published by Oxford University in 1999.
Adaptations
Composer Tarik O'ReganTarik O'Regan
Tarik O'Regan , full name Tarik Hamilton O'Regan , is a British composer, partly of Algerian extraction. His compositions number over 90 and are partially represented on 22 recordings which have been recognised with two GRAMMY nominations. He is also the recipient of two British Composer Awards...
has adapted the narrative into a one hour musical setting for solo guitar and chorus, performed under the title Acallam na Senórach. The work was premiered on 23 November, 2010 in Dublin by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland and Stewart French (guitar) under the direction of Paul Hillier
Paul Hillier
Paul Douglas Hillier is a conductor, music director and baritone. He specializes in early music and contemporary art music, especially that by composers Steve Reich and Arvo Pärt. He studied at Magdalen College, Oxford and the Guildhall School of Music, beginning his professional career while a...
.
External links
- "The Colloquy with the Ancients" (PDF file), Standish Hayes O'Grady translation, 1999. From http://www.yorku.ca. Retrieved January 2, 2007.