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Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Grumbles about Vikings and hangovers: the scribbles on Columbanus manuscripts being exhibited in Dublin
The National Museum of Ireland has launched its new exhibition Words on the Wave: Ireland and St Gallen in Early Medieval Europe, showing off 17 manuscripts from the Abbey Library of St Gall in Switzerland along with artefacts from the museum's own collection. Research from UCC and Trinity has confirmed that they were written in Ireland before being transported to Switzerland. The manuscripts include the four gospel books of the New Testament and other religious texts along with scholastic writings for teaching Latin. UCC Professor of Irish at University College Cork Pádraig Ó'Macháin has been working in this area since 1985 and set up the digitisation of Irish manuscripts in the19 90s through Irish Script on Screen. He has described the exhibition as 'mind-blowing'. He said: 'To see the manuscripts all together, and surrounded by the archaeological context, is very unique.' One of the manuscripts, Priscian's Institutiones Grammaticae, which is a Latin grammar book has thousands of scribbles in the margins written by monks in the Old Irish language. Visitors can get a glimpse into the everyday thoughts of these monks through their doodles, witty banter, and grumbles about the Vikings, hangovers, and the quality of the ink in the margins of the manuscript. Professor Ó'Macháin said: 'This was 850 AD and you can see the signatures of two guys from Cavan on the manuscript. It has lots of notes and the prayers to St Bridget and all sorts of marks that show it was well studied in the monastic school in Ireland before it left for the continent. 'But when it comes to the continent, you can see continental students were distracted because they started drawing doodles. And some of these doodles could even be considered offensive. The manuscript has lived a long and interesting life.' The exhibition aims to break down what some might see as an inaccessible period in history, bringing to life these works through visual graphics and videos, the artefacts in the display and the manuscripts themselves. ADVERTISEMENT Matt Seaver, assistant Keeper in the Irish Antiquities Division of the museum encourages all to attend the exhibition, no matter how much or how little they know about this time in Irish history. He said: 'You're going to go on a journey from Ireland, both in sight and sound, all the way from Ireland to St Gallen, over by the Alps. You're going to look at the different motivations for Irish people, why did they travel at the time, and then what they were writing about and what their very human experiences were. So it's not all highbrow, intellectual stuff, it's real-life experiences.' Other manuscripts on display are: Isidore's Etymologiae, Priscian's Institutiones Grammaticae, Irish Gospels of St Gall ( 51) and Vellum Reliquary label. Also on display are the only surviving copies of Columbanus' letters to several popes in the 7th century. Mr Seary said: 'We know exactly what their conversation was about and you can even pick up on where his personality comes out. It's remarkable.'
Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Yeats poem was inspiration behind Sligo student's work at unique medieval exhibition in Dublin
The exhibition explores early medieval Ireland's cultural impact on Europe and includes the largest-ever loan of manuscripts from the Abbey Library of St. Gall in Switzerland—many of them contemporaries of the Book of Kells. As part of its legacy element, students from Ireland and Switzerland took part in a collaborative schools project, working with calligrapher Tim O'Neill and museum staff to create manuscripts using traditional techniques such as insular script and handmade dyes. An important legacy of the exhibition is an international school project led by the National Museum of Ireland and the Abbey of St. Gall involving second-level students from Irish schools (Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath, Coláiste Muire, Ballymote, Co. Sligo and St Gallen/Gallen Community School, Offaly) as well as the Catholic Cantonal Secondary School 'flade' in St. Gallen. Students produced their own manuscripts inspired by the world today, using the techniques of the past through a process of creating dyes, materials, and insular script and art. They were all instructed by attended workshops online, in their classrooms and at the museum, with calligraphy expert, Tim O'Neill, and museum staff, and their work will feature in the exhibition. Shauna said: 'W.B. Yeats' 'The Wild Swans at Coole' was the inspiration for my piece. I was captivated by the symbolism of partnership evident in Yeats' portrayal of the swans and their sultry vitality as they remain free-spirited amidst the constant hustle and bustle of life.' The exhibition was launched by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter and Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD. Words on the Wave: Ireland and St. Gallen in Early Medieval Europe focuses on early medieval Ireland and its profound impact on ideas in Europe. At the exhibition's heart are 17 manuscripts on loan from the Abbey Library of St. Gall in Switzerland, a seventh-century library - in a city named after the Irish monk, St. Gall - that is home to one of the world's most significant collections of early medieval manuscripts. This exhibition is a world-first, marking the largest-ever loan of these manuscripts. New research commissioned by the National Museum of Ireland for the exhibition, using advanced scientific techniques, has provided evidence for the first time that the four most decorated manuscripts on loan from the Abbey Library of St. Gall were made using the hides of Irish cattle. While the role of Irish monks in writing the manuscripts was already known, this research reveals that that the books travelled from Ireland to St. Gallen with them, on their journey over a thousand years ago. Employing techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and multispectral imaging in both ultraviolet and infrared spectrums, researchers working with University College Cork's Inks and Skins project were able to identify elemental components of the inks, pigments, and parchment—many of which are not visible to the naked eye. The analysis revealed that the manuscripts were written with iron gall ink made from the nests of wasps in oak trees, a distinctive and well-documented feature of Irish manuscript production during the early medieval period. Furthermore, the method by which the animal skins were prepared, along with the presence of specific chemical elements such as sulphur and potassium, closely aligns with known Irish techniques of parchment manufacture. The Inks and ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Skins project team also collected surface DNA samples from the manuscripts to identify the genomes in the skins of the cattle used in their production. These priceless, handmade manuscripts reflect the journeys of Irish monks like St. Gall and St. Columbanus, who travelled to Europe seeking exile, refuge, and learning. Their journeys involved not only the movement of people but also ideas and artistic traditions, connecting the small island of Ireland to a much larger continent. It mirrors a 1,400-year-old connection between Switzerland and Ireland that started with the arrival of St. Gall in St. Gallen in 612. Scientific analysis of this DNA conducted by the School of Genetics in Trinity College Dublin, indicates that the cattle were of Irish origin. Using a technique pioneered by the team in 2017— a non-invasive genetic analysis of the parchment on which the manuscripts are written in which DNA is gently extracted from the surface of manuscripts using a rubber eraser—the team successfully recovered genetic material from the animal skins used in manuscript production. The results, interpreted using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), demonstrates that the cattle, from whose skin the parchment was made, were of Irish origin.
Irish Examiner
29-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
National Museum to unveil rare Irish medieval manuscripts in landmark international exhibition
A landmark medieval exhibition displaying rare manuscripts will be launched at the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) today, May 29. The free exhibition, Words on the Wave: Ireland and St. Gallen in Early Medieval Europe, focuses on early medieval Ireland and its profound impact on European intellectual and cultural life. Among the rare manuscripts on display are Isidore's Etymologiae, a 20-volume 7th-century encyclopedia exploring the meaning of words; Priscian's Institutiones Grammaticae, a Latin grammar book containing thousands of Old Irish marginal notes by monks; and the Irish Gospels of St Gall, a rare mid-8th-century illuminated manuscript. The Gospels feature vibrant and striking portraits of the Evangelists, vivid scenes of the Crucifixion, and the earliest known depiction of the Last Judgement. These manuscripts will be displayed alongside over 100 extraordinary artefacts, including the Lough Kinale Book Shrine — Ireland's oldest and largest container for a sacred book — the Ardshanbally Brooch, found near Adare in Co Limerick and dating from the 8th or 9th century, and a Viking sword discovered in the River Shannon in 2018. The exhibition will run from May 30 until October 24. This marks the largest-ever loan of these priceless artefacts, in what Cathal O'Donoghue, Chair of the NMI, has called "the most significant exhibition at the National Museum, Kildare Street in decades." The launch will take place in conjunction with Karin Keller-Sutter, president of the Swiss Confederation, who played a key role in securing the loan of 17 manuscripts from the Abbey Library of St Gall in Switzerland. The manuscripts trace the journeys of Irish monks who travelled across Europe in search of exile, refuge, and learning—bringing with them Ireland's unique artistic and scholarly traditions. They also reflect a 1,400-year-old connection between Ireland and Switzerland, dating back to the arrival of St Gall in the Swiss city of St Gallen in 612. An Early Medieval brooch-pin discovered at Ardshanbally last year that will be on display at the NMI. File picture: Fran Veale/Julien Behal Photography Arts and culture minister, Patrick O'Donovan said: 'This exhibition is a unique opportunity to see these manuscripts in Ireland and displayed alongside a fascinating array of artefacts that reflect their contents. "It's fascinating to see that researchers today are still discovering new insights into objects over 1,000 years old, and I would like to commend the collaboration between the Museum and the Abbey Library of St. Gall, as well as with UCC and TCD, in this regard.' Lynn Scarff, director of the NMI, added: 'In addition to the honour of hosting this exhibition, it has been wonderful to have developed and grown the collaborative relationship between the National Museum of Ireland and so many scholars and researchers across Ireland and Switzerland in the development of the project".
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- RTÉ News
'World first' exhibition shows medieval Ireland's connection to Europe
The National Museum of Ireland has launched a landmark exhibition exploring early medieval Ireland and its impact on Europe, called 'Words on the Wave: Ireland and St Gallen in Early Medieval Europe'. Described as a "world first", the exhibition, which will be opened by Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, presents 17 early medieval manuscripts that are coming to Ireland on loan from Stiftsbibliothek St Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Maeve Sikora, keeper of Irish antiquities at the National Museum, said the exhibition is about portraying "the connectedness" between Ireland and continental Europe adding, "people coming and people going, ideas coming and going, artefacts coming and going". It is the largest ever loan of treasured manuscripts from Stiftsbibliothek with many contemporaries of the books of Kells and Durrow on display. The exhibition also features more than 100 objects from the medieval world from which the manuscripts emerged, with many on public display for the first time. Ireland's oldest book shrine, Lough Kinale Shrine, will be on display for the first time following a period of conservation at the National Museum after discovery at the bottom of a lake in Longford. Many of the manuscripts from Stiftsbibliothek St Galle's collection have Irish connections, with some of them attributed to Irish scribes. These manuscripts are returning to Ireland for the first time in more than 1,000 years. Stiftsbibliothek St Galle in Switzerland, which is home to one of the world's most significant collections of early medieval manuscripts, has loaned the manuscripts which will offer visitors a unique opportunity to see the precious works in Ireland. Written on vellum, the manuscripts reflect the journeys of early medieval Irish monks like St Gall and St Columbanus. Highlights in the exhibition include Isidore's Etymologiae, the earliest surviving copy of this 7th-century encyclopaedia of word meanings, considered an 'internet' of the ancient world. Priscian's Institutiones Grammaticae also features, which is a Latin grammar book unique for the thousands of scribbles in the margins by the monks in the old Irish language. The translations of Latin into old Irish were essential in reconstructing the once lost language and visitors can get a glimpse into the everyday thoughts of these monks through their doodles, witty banter, and grumbles about the Vikings, hangovers and the quality of the ink in the margins of the manuscript. The exhibition includes the late 8th century book, Codex Sangallensis 51, which is one of the rarest in the world, and the vellum reliquary label which dates to around 700AD. This small but significant label contains the earliest known written reference to St Brigid. St Gall, who was a companion of Columbanus, was one of the Irish monks who left Ireland in the 6th century. This lesser known saint, called Gall or Gallus, is recognised through the historic city of St Gallen, which has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site, and is a unique repository of Irish history and culture. St Gall later went on to found a monastery in 612 in Allemania (close to lake Constance in modern day Switzerland) which was an important point on the pilgrimage route to Rome. Subsequently, an abbey school and library were established there by the 8th century. As the exhibition demonstrates, journeys such as the voyage by St Columbanus and St Gall carried not only people but also manuscripts, ideas, and artistic traditions, connecting the small island of Ireland to a much larger continent. The manuscripts on loan to the museum comprise a mixture of books thought to be written in Irish monastic settlements, which later travelled to Europe with Gall and Columbanus, and texts penned by Irish scribes in St Gallen. To bring the exhibition to life, the National Museum, which holds the world's largest collection of early medieval Irish objects will feature more than 150 objects from its collection to illustrate the level of contact between Ireland, Britain and the continent in the early medieval period. Included in the exhibition will be the findings of new research, which researchers say have significantly enrichened their understanding of Ireland's Golden Age. On display in the exhibition for the first time are artefacts from the museum's national collection, many with the results of new research and carbon dating. The Faddan More Psalter, found on a Tipperary bog is another highlight while also featuring is the Ardshanbally Brooch which was recently discovered during an excavation. From Co Donegal, there is a collection of chopped-up metal artefacts from the shores of Lough Foyle attesting to Viking presence in this area. Honouring the two countries' shared history, the Swiss library has furnished the National Museum of Ireland with its illustrious manuscripts marking the library's largest loan ever. For such an institution to bestow more than a couple of manuscripts at a time is practically unheard of, the museum stated. 'Words on the Wave: Ireland and St Gallen in Early Medieval Europe' is free to visit in the museum's Kildare Street location from May until October.
The Journal
24-04-2025
- The Journal
Irish-connected manuscripts to be exhibited in Dublin show monks' 'grumbles about the Vikings'
THE LARGEST EVER loan of historical manuscripts with Irish connections will be on display at the National Museum of Ireland from the end of May. The 17 manuscripts, which will be on loan from Switzerland, will return to Ireland for the first time in a millennia. Some of the manuscripts were likely written in Ireland or by Irish scribes. The manuscripts will be at the centre of an exhibition entitled 'Words on the Wave: Ireland and St. Gallen in Early Medieval Europe'. The exhibition will focus on early medieval Ireland and its 'profound impact on ideas in Europe', and include over 100 Irish artefacts from the time period. These will include imported pottery and glass, wax tablets used by scribes, and the only Irish manuscript ever found in a bog—the Faddan More Psalter. The Faddan More Psalter, Front Cover Flap. National Museum of Ireland National Museum of Ireland Opening on 30 May at the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street in Dublin, the exhibition will run for four months. Advertisement The artefacts have been loaned to the National Museum from Swiss UNESCO World Heritage site Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen. Also known as the Abbey Library of St Gall, the library, which dates from the eight century, holds 'one of the world's most significant collections of early medieval manuscripts'. St Gall was an Irish monk who travelled to Switzerland and spread Christianity. The manuscripts reflect his work and the work of fellow Irish monk, St Columbanus. Both monks had studied in a monastery in Bangor – the teachings at the monastery said to have been the origin of Ireland's reputation of being 'the land of saints and scholars'. The manuscripts also highlight Ireland's connection with Europe and the 'Irish thirst for knowledge'. Another key object that will be on display is the Lough Kinale Book Shrine. The artefact is the earliest and largest container for a sacred book, found broken at the bottom of Longford Lake, and which has now been conserved and will be on display for the first time. Book shrine, Lough Kinale, Tonymore North, Co. Longford. 1986:141 National Museum of Ireland National Museum of Ireland Priscian's Institutiones Grammaticae, a manuscript that features thousands of scribbles in the margins by the monks in their own language, will also be on display. The more everyday thoughts of the monks are showcased through this book, which include doodles and 'grumbles about the Vikings'. Priscian Institutiones Grammaticae, Cod. Sang 904, p. 3. © Stiftsbibliothek, St. Gallen. © Stiftsbibliothek, St. Gallen. Following the exhibition's four month stint in Dublin, it will be relocated to Switzerland. It is set to open at the Swiss National Museum in Zurich in 2027. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
