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Illustrations from a manuscript of
Topographia Hibernica
(The Topography of Ireland)
written in 1187
by Giraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales)

Bodleian Library MS. Laud Misc. 720, pt.II.
This copy made in the third quarter of the 13th century

Two Irishmen of Connaught paddling a boat

Illustration from the bottom margin of folio 226v (Topographia Hibernica)


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Another picture of Two Irishmen of Connaught paddling a coracle in National Library of Ireland Ms. 700
Another picture of Two Irishmen of Connaught paddling a coracle & an Irishman riding a horse in British Library Ms. Royal 13 B VIII

Source: Bodleian Library MS. Laud Misc. 720, pt.II.



Chapter XXVI: How numbers in the island are not baptized, and have never come to the knowledge of the faith

From 'The Topography of Ireland' by Sylvester Giraldus Cambrensis, 1187
Edited by Thomas Wright, 1863


... From this land not long afterwards they saw a small boat rowing towards them. It was narrow and oblong, and made of wattled boughs, covered and sewn with the hides of beasts. In it were two men, stark naked, except that they wore broad belts of the skin of some animal fastened round their waists. They had long yellow hair, like the Irish, falling below the shoulders, and covering great part of their bodies. The sailors, finding these men were from some part of Connaught, and spoke the Irish language, took them into the ship. ...

The translated text of Topographia Hibernica PDF


Back to Topographia Hibernica by Giraldus Cambrensis, Bodleian Library MS. Laud Misc. 720, pt.II.