Secrets from ancient texts could be revealed at UCC
UCC has received a donation of cutting-edge equipment that will be used to reveal hidden messages contained within the pages of ancient texts.
The equipment, known as a multi-spectral imaging system, will use infra-red and ultra-violet technology to examine manuscripts such as the Book of Lismore, one of Ireland’s great late medieval books.
Donated by Brian McCarthy, founder of financial technology company Fexco, the system will be used to reveal never-seen-before writings and marks that have been obscured for centuries.
The research will build upon previous work carried out by Professor of Modern Irish at UCC, Pádraig Ó Macháin, as part of the Inks & Skins project.
Professor Ó Macháin's work with spectroscopy has already revealed previously obscured text and writing features in medieval manuscripts such as the Book of Uí Mhaine and the Stowe Missal.
Prof. Ó Macháin said: “The story of the hand-written book in Ireland is central to our understanding of Gaelic society and the Gaelic mind in the Middle Ages. A debt of gratitude is owed to our scholarly ancestors for preserving our literature and traditions in these wonderful, unique books.”
The new donation marks the establishment of the McCarthy Multi-Spectral Irish Manuscript Project (McCarthy MSI).
Aside from the purchase of the multi-spectral imaging system for spectroscopy, the donation by Brian McCarthy and Fexco will also enable funding for postgraduate students.
Multi-spectral analysis of The Book of Lismore is being carried out in collaboration with UCC Library’s Special Collections & Archives team who are facilitating the project in the library’s specialised photographic and preservation labs.
The book, which was created at Kilbrittain in county Cork in the late 15th century, was donated to UCC by the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement in 2002.
The medieval manuscript consists of 198 large vellum folios, and contains some of medieval Irish literature’s greatest masterpieces, including the lives of Irish saints, the only surviving Irish translation of the travels of Marco Polo, and the adventures of the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill.
Commenting on the donation by Mr McCarthy, UCC President, Professor John O’Halloran, said: “These are among the first manuscripts to preserve much of our history and cultural heritage, and this gift will empower Prof Ó Macháin and his team to give us a better understanding of the roots of our identity.”
Kerry Bryson, CEO, UCC Foundation added: “For Professor Ó Macháin, who previously led Ireland’s first ever digitisation project (Irish Script on Screen) 1999-2012, which is still ongoing, the founding of McCarthy MSI represents a vote of confidence in the scientific investigation of the heritage of the written word in Ireland.”