Bibliography

Clodagh
Downey
s. xx–xxi

15 publications between 2004 and 2022 indexed
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Contributions to journals

Downey, Clodagh, “The Boyne in medieval myth and literature”, Ríocht na Midhe 31 (2020): 1–27.
Downey, Clodagh, “Rumann mac Colmáin, poeta optimus: life and work”, Studia Hibernica 45 (2019): 1–17.  
abstract:
Rumann mac Colmáin, whose death in 747 is recorded in the Annals of Ulster, was clearly a poet of great stature. He is called poeta optimus in his death notice, and if this is a Latin rendering of ollam filed (as suggested by F. J. Byrne), then this is the first reference to a secular poet’s office in the annals. Rumann’s fame and significance as a poet may also be inferred from the name of a metre, ollbairdne Rumainn recomarcach, which seems to have been named for him. Our sources connect Rumann with Trim, in present-day Co. Meath, and some poetry still survives that is ascribed to him. In this article, the available evidence relating to Rumann’s life will be gathered and relevant historical factors will be considered with a view to ascertaining what connections Rumann may have had to political affairs. All surviving verse ascribed to Rumann that I have been able to discover will be presented and the question of authorship of that verse will be examined, taking linguistic, metrical and historical factors into consideration.
abstract:
Rumann mac Colmáin, whose death in 747 is recorded in the Annals of Ulster, was clearly a poet of great stature. He is called poeta optimus in his death notice, and if this is a Latin rendering of ollam filed (as suggested by F. J. Byrne), then this is the first reference to a secular poet’s office in the annals. Rumann’s fame and significance as a poet may also be inferred from the name of a metre, ollbairdne Rumainn recomarcach, which seems to have been named for him. Our sources connect Rumann with Trim, in present-day Co. Meath, and some poetry still survives that is ascribed to him. In this article, the available evidence relating to Rumann’s life will be gathered and relevant historical factors will be considered with a view to ascertaining what connections Rumann may have had to political affairs. All surviving verse ascribed to Rumann that I have been able to discover will be presented and the question of authorship of that verse will be examined, taking linguistic, metrical and historical factors into consideration.
Downey, Clodagh, “Who was Ailill Moṡaulum?”, Celtica 29 (2017): 38–54.
Downey, Clodagh, “Dindṡenchas and the tech midchúarta”, Ériu 60 (2010): 1–35.  
The banqueting hall (tech midchúarta) of Tara is vividly described in a variety of medieval Irish sources. This paper examines descriptions of the physical layout and social regulation of the banqueting hall in some of these sources with a view to retrieving how their authors understood its form and function, and assesses evidence associating the banqueting hall with the cursus monument in Tara known today as Tech Midchúarta.
The banqueting hall (tech midchúarta) of Tara is vividly described in a variety of medieval Irish sources. This paper examines descriptions of the physical layout and social regulation of the banqueting hall in some of these sources with a view to retrieving how their authors understood its form and function, and assesses evidence associating the banqueting hall with the cursus monument in Tara known today as Tech Midchúarta.
Downey, Clodagh, “The life and work of Cúán Ua Lothcháin”, Ríocht na Midhe 19 (2008): 55–78.
Downey, Clodagh, “Trí croind Éirenn oiregdha: a medieval poem on three famous trees of Ireland”, Éigse 36 (2008): 1–34.

Contributions to edited collections or authored works

Downey, Clodagh, “Níall Noígíallach and the heroic biography”, in: Kevin Murray (ed.), Revisiting the Cycles of the Kings, 6, Cork: CSCL, 2022. 25–56.
Downey, Clodagh, “Literature and learning in early medieval Meath”, in: Arlene Crampsie, and Francis Ludlow (eds), Meath, history & society: interdisciplinary essays on the history of an Irish county, 24, Dublin: Geography Publications, 2015. 101–130.
Downey, Clodagh, “Murchadh Ó Cuindlis and Aided Muirchertaig meic Erca”, in: John Carey, Kevin Murray, and Caitríona Ó Dochartaigh (eds), Sacred histories: a Festschrift for Máire Herbert, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2015. 125–138.
Downey, Clodagh, “Cúán ua Lothcháin and the transmission of the Dindshenchas”, in: Ailbhe Ó Corráin, and Gordon Ó Riain (eds), Celebrating sixty years of Celtic studies at Uppsala University: proceedings of the Eleventh Symposium of Societas Celtologica Nordica, 9, Uppsala: Uppsala Universitet, 2013. 45–61.
Downey, Clodagh, “Oilill Molt mar rí i litríocht na meánaoiseanna”, in: Seán Ó Coileáin, Liam P. Ó Murchú, and Pádraigín Riggs (eds), Séimhfhear suairc: aistí in ómós don Ollamh Breandán Ó Conchúir, The Díseart, Dingle: An Sagart, 2013. 59–81.
Downey, Clodagh, “Women, the world and three wise men: power and authority in tales relating to Niall Noígiallach and Lugaid Mac Con”, in: Dan M. Wiley (ed.), Essays on the early Irish king tales, Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2008. 127–147.
Downey, Clodagh, “Purple reign: the naming of Conall Corc”, in: Katja Ritari, and Alexandra Bergholm (eds), Approaches to religion and mythology in Celtic studies, Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars, 2008. 28–54.
Downey, Clodagh, “Intertextuality in Echtra mac nEchdach Mugmedóin”, in: John Carey, Máire Herbert, and Kevin Murray (eds), Cín Chille Cúile: texts, saints and places. Essays in honour of Pádraig Ó Riain, 9, Aberystwyth: Celtic Studies Publications, 2004. 77–104.