GrWYNN AND PuKTON — The Monastery of TuUag lit. 128 



thirteenth century ; but as Strachan has remarked (Deponent Verb 517, note), 

 it is really in substance an early document ; it probably belongs to the ninth 

 century. 



Our text supplies some fresh information as to the Cell De and their 

 practices. They are referred to by name in two passages (§§ 40, 45); in 

 many other places vague phrases, such as fogni leiisom, " it is their practice," 

 may refer either to the Cell De in general or to the community of Tallaght 

 in particular. In § 6 Maelruain is quoted as speaking of " my Eule," and in 

 three other places there is mention of "the Eule" (§§ 12, 63, 78) ; but there 

 is nothing to show whether this is the Eule of Tallaght only, or a Eule 

 binding on all Cell De. From the varieties of practice noted in 'S'arious 

 places where they were established, it would seem that there was no fixed 

 Eule generally accepted by them. 



It is noticeable that several of the anecdotes introduced relate to places 

 where the Cell De are known to have been established : Clonmacnois 

 (i 67, 85), Devenish (§ 60), Monahmcha (§ 4), lona (§§ 47, 52, 65, 85). 

 Our text shows that there were also Culdees at Terryglass (§ 12). E\-idently 

 there were close relations between this place and Tallaght, since Maeldithruib 

 is described as "anchorite of Tir Da Glas"; no doubt he went thither from 

 Tallaght. 



Although oiir document is principally concerned with questions of 

 discipUne and observance, it does not display the spirit of exaggerated 

 asceticism which so often pervades the later Lives of the Saints ; on the 

 contrary, excessive severity is discountenanced by Maelruain and Maeldithruib. 

 See §§ 63, 68, 77, 80. There is also a general absence of the miraculous 

 and supernatural, and such stories of this kind as are introduced are of a 

 comparatively sober character: such are the tales of Colum Gille and the 

 sinful monk, § 66 ; of Maelruain's fastmg against Artri, § 72 ; of the angel 

 at Mag Lena, § 73 ; of Adamnan and the monks of Clonmacnois, § 85 ; of 

 Eochu ua Tuathail and the layman's ghost, § 85. 



Language, 



Except for §§ 66, 67, and 73, and the passages which coincide with the 

 Eule of the Celi De (see ante), no second copy of our document has as yet come 

 to light.' This is much to be regretted, as a good many passages seem to he 

 corrupt, and even where the corruption is not sufficient to obscure the sense, the 



1 When this paper was already in proof, I was led by a hint from Mr. Plummer to examine the 

 so-called Life of Maelniaia contained in a portfolio (No. 36) in the Franciscan Library. This proved 

 to be a serenteenth-century paraphrase corresponding to parts of the Eule of the Culdees and of 

 our document. It has cleared up some difficulties, and I hope to publish it in exUnso. — E.J. G. 

 R.I. A. PEOC, VOL. XXIX., SECT. C. [18] 



