School: Edenderry (St Mary's Convent)

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1. St Brochan's Well (continued)

   

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   119
   Ancient Litany of Our Lady composed in Clonsast Abbey
   an assemblage for games and amusements. It was prohibited by parochial clergy owing to certain abuses but has been revived within the past few years by Revd J. Breen and each year the Ancient Irish Litany of the Blessed Virgin is said on the pattern day.

   (ARTICLE
   THE ANCIENT IRISH LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
   Translated from the Irish of the Eigth Century.
   The following extracts from a beautiful Irish Litany of Our Blessed Lady are taken from the venerable manuscripts known as the Leabhar Breac, preserved in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy. The distinguished Irish scholar, Eugene O'Curry, speaking of it days: "I believe it to be as old, at least as the middle of the eighth century." It was probably composed in the famous monastery of Clonsast, and there is reason to believe that it was used by St. Broghan's community there as early as the year 725 A.D.
   The great Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. McHale, wrote of it in 1879 - "I cordially approve of the publication of the Litany of the ever Blessed Virgin, extracted from the Leabhar Breac.....No more conclusive evidence of the tender devotion of the early children of St. Patrick to the Mother of God, and of their appreciation of the wonderful privileges bestowed upon her by the Almighty, can be desired than what is conveyed in the simple language of filial tenderness employed in the ancient Library"
   (for private recitation only)
   Authorized Translation
   O Great Mary
   Mary, Greatest of Marys
   Queen of the Angels } Pray for us
   Mistress of the Heavens
   Blessed and most blessed
   Mother of Eternal Glory

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

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