'"A little remnant of the work of the ancients" 23 N 10: the Book of Ballycummin'

The Academy Library’s 4th Irish Manuscripts Conference took place on 7-8 March. Twelve speakers delivered the outputs of new research on an old compilation (16th cent.), best known by its shelfmark, 23 N 10. Containing tales which are among the oldest surviving literature in Irish as well as legal texts, poetry and wisdom literature from early medieval Ireland, the conference explored all aspects of the production, survival and significance of this book to which we have attributed the title ‘Book of Ballycummin’ reflecting the Roscommon townland in which it was compiled. We can expect further reassessment of this compilation as a result of revelatory and ongoing investigations of the manuscript structure and ordering of the texts, significant new insights on the poetic content and much more. Seventy delegates from Ireland and abroad engaged enthusiastically in the proceedings. We have no doubt that 23 N 10’s story will not end here. The conference has thrown up a host of new questions and possibilities —23 N 10 will need another conference in the future! Thank you from the Academy to all of our speakers and delegates. We look forward to seeing you at the 2021 conference on Leabhar Breac.
Read the Librarian's Opening Address.

The presentations, which will be published in Codices Hibernenses Eximii 4 are now accessible here ...

For additional material relating to each of the presentations see right sidebar Downloads. 

Library Blog post What’s in a name? Seán Ó Maoil Chonaire and the Book of Ballycummin ~ RIA MS 23 N 10

Download the conference programme