Advanced infra-red technology is set to shed light on obscured writings featured in medieval manuscripts, as part of an exciting new project at University College Cork (UCC).
It follows a significant gift courtesy of philanthropist Brian McCarthy, and the company Fexco, that will go towards the analysis of ancient texts, including the iconic Book of Lismore.
The technology will enable UCC to uncover messages hidden in the pages of ancient text, using a multi-spectral imaging system.
It will build on previous work by the Inks & Skins project, established by Professor Pádraig Ó Macháin, of modern Irish at UCC, for the investigation of Irish manuscripts. It will be the first time in centuries that obscured texts are finally made legible.
Prof Ó Macháin’s previous work has already revealed obscured text in medieval manuscripts, including the Book of Uí Mhaine and the Stowe Missal.
Aside from the purchase of the multi-spectral imaging system for spectroscopy, the donation will also go towards funding for postgraduate students.
UCC president Professor John O’Halloran expressed his gratitude to the donors, saying: “I wish to convey our sincere gratitude to Brian McCarthy and Fexco for his generosity which will enable our scholars to better analyse these ancient texts.
Cork University Foundation chief executive Kerry Bryson reiterated the importance of such projects at UCC, adding: “Brian McCarthy’s generous support, facilitated by the Cork University Foundation, and alumni and development UCC, is vital to advance UCC’s strategic goals and drive research into Irish manuscript tradition and materiality.
“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.”
Prof Ó Macháin said the story of the hand-written book in Ireland is central to our understanding of Gaelic society 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,” said Prof Ó Macháin.
“There is an onus on us to repay that debt by trying to understand everything we can about how those books were created.”