Annals of Tigernach

The Annals of Tigernach (English: Annals of Tigernach ) are among the most important medieval chronicles of Ireland. They are largely written in the Irish language with some Latin entries. The Chronicle covers the periods from 807 BC to 360 ( as a copy of the Chronicles of Eusebius of Caesarea ) and 489-1178 with gaps 767-973 and 1004-1017.

The name of the Annals arises from a note in the year 1088: Tigernach wrote this far before he died. It is believed that Tigernach has been a monk of the monastery of Clonmacnoise.

Genesis

According to the analysis by Kathleen Hughes, there are great similarities between the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Tigernach in the period 489-766, so that it is close to suspect a common origin. Hughes believes that this is the non-preserved annals of Iona.

In contrast to the Annals of Ulster in particular fall on numerous additional entries from the history of the monastery of Clonmacnoise, which suggest that the annals of Tigernach have been copied and expanded either specifically for or in Clonmacnoise. An example is the entry U614.1 from the Annals of Ulster, which records the death of To Lua, the then Abbot of Clonmacnoise. Here can be found in the annals of Tigernach in entry T612.1 the additional information that the deceased abbot of Corco Mogha family originates.

Also closely related to the annals of Tigernach is the Chronicon Scotorum, which is also attributed to Clonmacnoise. Hughes believed that this is a copy of an older, we no longer present version of the Annals of Tigernach. In this respect, this copy is suitable despite the lower circumference to fill in some gaps in the annals of Tigernach.

Manuscripts received

The manuscripts received are divided into five fragments, of which the first fragment in the 12th century was, and the other fragments of the 14th century come. The first fragment covers the period from 807 BC to 160 from. The second fragment covers the years 322 BC to 360 The remaining three fragments spanning the years 489-766, 973-1003 and 1018-1178.

All fragments are from the collection of Sligoer historian Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh. His collection went to Robert Ware, who sold in 1686 to the Earl of Clarendon, who bequeathed to the Duke of Chandos, after his death in 1746, she was sold in an auction. Essential parts of this collection, including all extant manuscripts of the Annals of Tigernach came up for sale in the possession of Richard Rawlinson, which she passed on to Oxford University, where they have since been preserved in the Bodleian Library.