Patrons

This festival involves considerable expense. Thus we are asking people who feel strongly about Fenagh or have strong attachment to it, to become Patrons of the Festival. The Patron fee is €50.

Patrons receive the following benefits: • A reserved place at the medieval concert with concert entry fee covered by the Patron fee.

• A specially hardbound copy in buckrum of the new book, The Making of the Book of Fenagh, signed by the editors. These special copies will only be available to Patrons.

• And of course free admission to the generally available free events.

Becoming a Patron

If you would like to become a patron, a form is available from the Visitor Centre in Fenagh or to download from the Fenagh.com website. You can pay on the website using PayPal. If you wish to reserve extra tickets for the concert or attend the BBQ and Drama, details can be included on the form or when you are paying by Paypal. You can also pay by forwarding a cheque or postal order to the Visitor Centre with the completed Patron form, or of course you are welcome to call into the Visitor Centre in Fenagh.

29th July - 31st July 2016

Book of Fenagh Festival

Féile Leabhar Fidhnacha

Contact: Teresa Lennon, Fenagh Visitor Centre Phone: (071) 964 5590 Web: www.fenagh.comE-mail: bookoffenagh500@gmail.comFB: ‘Book of Fenagh 500’

The Book of Fenagh Manuscript

In 1516 Tadgh O Rodaigh, the comharb (successor to St Caillin) of the abbey, commissioned Muirgheas Mac Paidin uí Maoil Chonaire, to make a copy of the Old Book of Fenagh, which had become worn from age. The Old Book only had verse, and Muirgheas added prose passages to the new Book of Fenagh. There is now no trace of the Old Book.

There are three early copies in manuscript form, apart from the original, (Copy A), in the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) in Dublin. Portions of a copy, called manuscript B are in the library of The British Museum. A further copy, copy C, is in the Bibliotheque Royal, Brussels. A fourth copy, referred to as copy D, is in The RIA.

None of the four manuscripts are complete. The original manuscript, Copy A, is the most complete and the most important one.

More recent copies

In the 1870s, Lady Louisa Tenison of Castle Tenison (later named Kilronan Castle) commissioned W. M. Hennessy and D. W. Kelly to produce a translation and first printing of The Book of Fenagh in 1875. It is thought that only fifty copies of Hennessy and Kelly’s book were printed. Lady Louisa was particularly interested in Fenagh, funding the building of a wall to surround the abbey in Fenagh.

The book contains two photographs, one of the Fenagh cromlech and the other of the larger abbey. It is thought that these photographs are the first photographs of Leitrim. Because of the scarcity of the first printing of 1875, the Irish Manuscripts Commission printed a facsimile of the 1875 version in 1939.

Two specially commissioned facsimile pages of the original 1516 manuscript in the RIA are now on display at The Fenagh Visitor Centre. In more recent times, copies of the 1875 edition have become available by ‘Print on Demand’ on the web.

The Book of Fenagh 500 Festival

This year, 2016, marks the 500th anniversary of the writing of The Book of Fenagh in 1516.

The Book of Fenagh is one of Ireland’s most important medieval manuscripts. The book is kept in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.To mark the 500th anniversary, a ‘Book of Fenagh 500 Festival’ will take place in Fenagh on the August bank holiday weekend, 29th July-31st July.

A major programme of events has been organized.

A new book is being published, The Making of the Book of Fenagh, which will contain a series of articles about Fenagh and the original book. Three talks will take place during the festival based on the new book. The book is being edited by Professor Raymond Gillespie of Maynooth University, Professor Salvador Ryan of St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth and Dr Brendan Scott of The Breifne Historical Society, who are publishing the book.

In addition to this, a great range of other activities will take place as set out below. Even if you are not a history buff, the events will be of great interest.

Fenagh is one of the most historic locations in Leitrim and the Festival is a great opportunity to learn about Fenagh and to have a very enjoyable weekend.

Booking for the EventsThe Lectures

Booking is not necessary and admission to these is free, although a voluntary contribution on the day will be appreciated. You do not have to attend all of the lectures if you do not want to: just pick whichever ones in which you have an

interest.

Walking ToursThese are also free and do not need booking. There are two alternative times for the walking

tour.

Medieval ConcertThis will take place in St. Catherine’s Church of Ireland. Places are limited to 100, and must be booked in advance. Price €10 per person. It is anticipated that this event will be booked out

early.

Medieval BBQ and Historical Drama and Music Presentation

You must book for this event as places are limited. Price is €15 per person. A single €15 covers both the BBQ and the Drama and Music

Presentation.

Programme of EventsAll events are in the

Community Centre unless otherwise stated

8pm Launch of the Festival and the new publication: The Making of The Book of Fenagh

8.15pm Lecture 1: The making of The Book of Fenagh Speaker: Professor Raymond Gillespie, Maynooth University

10am Launch of The Book of Fenagh facsimile10.15am Lecture 2: Scribes and Scholars and The Book of Fenagh Speaker: Dr. Bernadette Cunningham, Royal Irish Academy

11am Tea/Coffee Break

11:15am Lecture 3: Fenagh in 1516: The Social and Religious Context for The Book of Fenagh Speaker: Fr. Liam Kelly

12:30pm Lunch available1:30 pm Fenagh Visitor Centre Walking tour of Fenagh (1) 2-4pm St. Caillin’s NS School Children Exhibition/Displays 3pm Fenagh Visitor Centre Walking tour of Fenagh (2)4:30pm St. Catherine’s Church of Ireland Concert of Medieval Music

11:30am St. Mary’s Church, Foxfield Mass (with Bishop Francis Duffy)2-3pm St. Caillin’s NS School Children Exhibition/Displays 5pm Medieval BBQ6:30pm Fenagh from St. Caillin through the ages Drama and Music Presentation

Friday 29th July

Saturday 30th July

Sunday 31st July

This festival is supported by Leitrim Tourism