Lawi.ok — The Ancient List, of the Ooarhs of Patrick. 367 



The List omits Mael Isu hiia Cerbaill, wlio is said in the Annals of Ulster 

 to have been elected coarb on the resignation of Toninialtach (no. f'2) in 1 184. 

 But the same Annals (MS. A) in the ri^-eonl of his obit (1187) describe him 

 as bishop of Airghialla. The fact seems to be that while he was bishop of 

 Airghialla (now the diocese of dloglier) he was elected to the I'rimacy, went 

 to Konie for confirmation, and died soon after his return.' That Toninialtach 

 resigned in 1184 is very unlikely, for he was archbishop till his death in 

 1201. It is more probable that there was a contest between him and Mael 

 Isu, which was decided in 1184 or later, it is possible that Tommaltach's 

 name was added to the List before this litigation began. 



APPENDIX. 



The List of Coarbs in the Book of Leinster. 



The list of coarbs preserved in the Book of Leinster occupies the last two 

 columns of fol. 21 v (Facs., p. 42). The opening column is perfectly legible, and 

 offers no difficulty. The discoloration referred to above (p. 316) extends over most 

 of the last column. Further, the membrane is badly rubbed and creased in places, 

 particularly down the margin ; towards the end the surface is polished, but much 

 defaced. The work of decipherment is thus rendered extremely difficult, much 

 patience and repeated examination of the MS. in good light being necessary to 

 confirm a reading. The best results have been obtained by the use of a reflecting 

 mirror, recommended by Dr. Gilbart Smyly, who very kindly examined some of 

 the passages with us. For the more obscure portions the evidence available is 

 (1) O'Curry's transcript of fol. 1-79 of the Book of Leinster, preserved in the 

 Library of Trinity College (Class mark L. 5. 20)- ; (2) Todd's rendering of 1864 



' Compare the Register of the Diocese of Clogher in the Louth Archaeological Jounud, 

 vol. iv, p. 239. From the Register it is clear that he did not become bishop till after the 

 death of Aedh O'Cellaigh in 1183 (Annals of Loch Co). 



' In Dr. Abbott's Catalogue (no. 1428) it i? erroneously described as a copy of Leabhar 

 ua hUidhri. We had in vain looked for such a transcript iu the various Dublin collections, 

 and are indebted to Mr. E. J. Gwynn for calling our attention to it, at the last raotnent, 

 when about to go to press. An earlier acquaintance with it would have saved us much 

 labour. Agreement in several minor errors and omissions makes it clear that it was on 

 this transcript of O'Curry's that Todd based his version above referred to. The critical 

 notes have had to be revised accordingly. The transcript (water-mark 1850) is executed 

 in O'Curry's best style, with illuminated capitals. It is a pity he did not live to complete 

 it, for it appears to be more accurate than O'Longan's Facsimile, and would have been % 

 valuable aid in deciphering what is obscure in the original MS. It was probably made 

 for the use of Dr. Todd, and is the volume described under no. 1450 in his Sale Catalogue, 

 lSt)9 : "Leabhar-na-H-Uidhri, a transcript by Eugene O'Curry from the original iu the 

 Library of the Royal Irish Academy, fol." Hence Dr. Abbott's error. 



