Great Book of Irish Genealogies
UCD Library Special Collections holds the original 17th century manuscript of the Great Book of Irish Genealogies, or Leabhar na nGenealach.
(opens in a new window)Click here to view the manuscript online at Irish Script on Screen in English
(opens in a new window)Click here to view the manuscript online at Irish Script on Screen in Irish
Identity Statement
Reference code IE/ UCD/SC/Additional Ms 14
Title
ALeabhar na nGenealach or The Great Book of Irish Genealogies by Dubhaltach Mac Firbisigh.
Dates
[1649-1653?].
Level of Description
Item.
Extent
941pp.
Context
Creator
Dubhaltach Mac Firbisigh (160? – 1671).
Biographical History
- The Book of Genealogies was originally compiled and written in Galway between circa 1645 -1666 by Dubhaltach Mac Firbisigh.
- Mac Firbisigh was an Irish scribe, historian and genealogist who flourished between the years 1640 until his death in 1671.
- The Mac Firbisigh family was a renowned learned family in late medieval Ireland. This explains his knowledge of Irish, English, Latin and Greek and his chosen ‘career’.
- In the early 1640s he moved to Galway and it was there that he carried out his great work, researching and writing the Leabhar na nGenealach probably between 1645 and 1666.
- Nollaig Ó Muraíle in the introduction of his biography entitled The Celebrated Antiquary Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh (1996) states that Mac Firbisigh ‘represents something of a bridge between the last remnants of the native Gaelic learning classes and the new Anglo-Irish antiquaries such as Ussher and Ware’.
Source of Acquisition
Bequeathed to UCD by Dublin solicitor Arthur Cox in 1929.
Scope and Content
- The opening sentence of Leabhar na nGenealach, quoted in The Celebrated Antiquary Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh, goes some way towards describing the contents. It reads:
"the branches of kinship and branches of genealogy of every invasion which took possession of Ireland from this time up to Adam (except the Fomhóraigh, the Vikings and English, whom we treat of only since they came to our country), together with the history of the saints and the list of the kings of Ireland and finally, an index in which are collected, in alphabetical order, the surnames and famous places mentioned in this book…"
- Nollaig Ó Muraíle, who edited a five volume printed set of the work in 2003, describes the book as:
"a compilation of Irish genealogical lore relating to the principal Gaelic and Anglo-Norman families of Ireland and covering the period from pre-Christian times to the mid-17th century and collected from a variety of sources."
- This manuscript is one of UCD's greatest treasures. The manuscript is available for viewing digitally on Irish Script on Screen.
Access and Use
- The material in this collection is available by appointment to students, teaching staff, and independent researchers. We also welcome interested members of the public.
- Please contact us at (opens in a new window)special.collections@ucd.ie for further information. To book an appointment (opens in a new window)click here.
Reproduction
Photocopying of archival collections is not permitted. Photography permissions and policies vary. Please contact (opens in a new window)special.collections@ucd.ie for more details regarding the photography of this specific collection.
Language
Irish.
Finding Aid
n/a.
More Information
View the Book of Genealogies online at (opens in a new window)Irish Script on Screen.
Ó Muraíle, Nollaig (1996) The Celebrated Antiquary Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh, , Maynooth: An Sagart , (Special Collections at 38.K.20 and on Level 2 at GEN 941.506/MACF/O).
Ó Muraíle, Nollaig (ed.) (2003-4)The Great Book of Irish Genealogies or Leabhar Mór na nGenealach: compiled (1645-66) by Dubhaltach Mac Firbisigh, edited with translation and indexes by Nollaig Ó Muraíle, Dublin: De Búrca, (Special Collections at 19.D.13 - 16 and on Level 2 at HSM 941.50002/MAC).
Find information on Mac Firbisigh in the (opens in a new window)Dictionary of Irish Biography.