Dr Patrick McDonagh
@patrickmcdonagh98.bsky.social
Research Studentship at the National Library of Ireland | Historian of Late Medieval Ireland, Wales, and England | Irish Traveller | https://shorturl.at/u4JSw
Today's unexpected archival discovery in the @nlireland.bsky.social. is this spooky pentacle on a late fourteenth century document.
It is the signum or personal sign of a notary called Richard Wheeler.
#Archives #Manuscripts #Medieval #Ireland #Halloween
It is the signum or personal sign of a notary called Richard Wheeler.
#Archives #Manuscripts #Medieval #Ireland #Halloween
October 30, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Today's unexpected archival discovery in the @nlireland.bsky.social. is this spooky pentacle on a late fourteenth century document.
It is the signum or personal sign of a notary called Richard Wheeler.
#Archives #Manuscripts #Medieval #Ireland #Halloween
It is the signum or personal sign of a notary called Richard Wheeler.
#Archives #Manuscripts #Medieval #Ireland #Halloween
Today's highlight in the manuscript reading room of the @nlireland.bsky.social. is this example of an impaled coat of arms belonging to Margaret de Typetot which shows her own coat of arms with those of her husband John Cheyne. Attached to a charter from 1378.
October 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Today's highlight in the manuscript reading room of the @nlireland.bsky.social. is this example of an impaled coat of arms belonging to Margaret de Typetot which shows her own coat of arms with those of her husband John Cheyne. Attached to a charter from 1378.
Good impression of the seal of the Staple of Waterford attached to a charter from 1457 at the @nlireland.bsky.social.
The Staples where the designated entrepots for the export of certain goods in the lands of the kings of England and in Ireland included Waterford, Cork, Dublin, and Drogheda.
The Staples where the designated entrepots for the export of certain goods in the lands of the kings of England and in Ireland included Waterford, Cork, Dublin, and Drogheda.
October 27, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Good impression of the seal of the Staple of Waterford attached to a charter from 1457 at the @nlireland.bsky.social.
The Staples where the designated entrepots for the export of certain goods in the lands of the kings of England and in Ireland included Waterford, Cork, Dublin, and Drogheda.
The Staples where the designated entrepots for the export of certain goods in the lands of the kings of England and in Ireland included Waterford, Cork, Dublin, and Drogheda.
Gem of a seal belonging to Sir Richard de Burgh or Burke attached to an indenture from 1360 at the @nlireland.bsky.social. Showing the Burke coat of arms (a red cross on a gold field) it also shows a label at the top of the arms designating a junior branch of the family.
October 25, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Gem of a seal belonging to Sir Richard de Burgh or Burke attached to an indenture from 1360 at the @nlireland.bsky.social. Showing the Burke coat of arms (a red cross on a gold field) it also shows a label at the top of the arms designating a junior branch of the family.
Really exciting development at the @nlireland.bsky.social. 380 deeds (D. 1 to D. 380) have been digitised and are available to view on the computers in the Manuscript Reading Room. Shown below is the great seal of Henry III (D. 166) and a papal bull of Pope Alexander IV (D. 195).
October 21, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Really exciting development at the @nlireland.bsky.social. 380 deeds (D. 1 to D. 380) have been digitised and are available to view on the computers in the Manuscript Reading Room. Shown below is the great seal of Henry III (D. 166) and a papal bull of Pope Alexander IV (D. 195).
Really cool coming across this signature today in the @nlireland.bsky.social. 'T Norffolk' is the signature of Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk, and uncle to Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, both of whom where executed by Henry VIII. It is on a charter granting land in Ireland in 1528.
October 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Really cool coming across this signature today in the @nlireland.bsky.social. 'T Norffolk' is the signature of Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk, and uncle to Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, both of whom where executed by Henry VIII. It is on a charter granting land in Ireland in 1528.
The seal of Risdeárd Ó hÉidigheáin, archbishop of Cashel in the early fifteenth century, at the @nlireland.bsky.social. Depicting him in his episcopal role, the seal also two coats of arms which appear to be those of the Butler earls of Ormond and the Fitzgerald earls of Desmond or Kildare.
October 18, 2025 at 8:18 AM
The seal of Risdeárd Ó hÉidigheáin, archbishop of Cashel in the early fifteenth century, at the @nlireland.bsky.social. Depicting him in his episcopal role, the seal also two coats of arms which appear to be those of the Butler earls of Ormond and the Fitzgerald earls of Desmond or Kildare.
Today's find in the manuscript reading room at the @nlireland.bsky.social is the common seal of the town of Clonmel attached to a deed from 1410
The seal shows a dog hunting a stag, whose antlers are a fine detail.
#Manuscripts #Archives #Seals #Medieval #Ireland
The seal shows a dog hunting a stag, whose antlers are a fine detail.
#Manuscripts #Archives #Seals #Medieval #Ireland
October 16, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Today's find in the manuscript reading room at the @nlireland.bsky.social is the common seal of the town of Clonmel attached to a deed from 1410
The seal shows a dog hunting a stag, whose antlers are a fine detail.
#Manuscripts #Archives #Seals #Medieval #Ireland
The seal shows a dog hunting a stag, whose antlers are a fine detail.
#Manuscripts #Archives #Seals #Medieval #Ireland
Impressive seal belonging to Thomas of Lancaster, younger brother of the future Henry V, attached to a letters patent from 1408 when Thomas was the lieutenant of Ireland at the @nlireland.bsky.social. Thomas' seal shows his coat of arms which are surmounted by a helmet and a lion crest.
October 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Impressive seal belonging to Thomas of Lancaster, younger brother of the future Henry V, attached to a letters patent from 1408 when Thomas was the lieutenant of Ireland at the @nlireland.bsky.social. Thomas' seal shows his coat of arms which are surmounted by a helmet and a lion crest.
Good impression of the English exchequer seal attached to a letters patent to the second earl of Ormond from 1367 at the @nlireland.bsky.social.
October 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Good impression of the English exchequer seal attached to a letters patent to the second earl of Ormond from 1367 at the @nlireland.bsky.social.
Am very pleased to have just come across this nice manicule (or hand with a pointing index finger) in a letters patent of Richard II to the earl of Ormond dating from 1379 which is held by the @nlireland.bsky.social.
September 30, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Am very pleased to have just come across this nice manicule (or hand with a pointing index finger) in a letters patent of Richard II to the earl of Ormond dating from 1379 which is held by the @nlireland.bsky.social.
Really fantastic seal belonging to Geoffrey Walsh attached to a deed from 1374 at the @nlireland.bsky.social. On the seal can be seen Geoffrey's coat of arms which shows a chevron, three barbed arrowheads, and two stars which are flanking the apex of the chevron.
September 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Really fantastic seal belonging to Geoffrey Walsh attached to a deed from 1374 at the @nlireland.bsky.social. On the seal can be seen Geoffrey's coat of arms which shows a chevron, three barbed arrowheads, and two stars which are flanking the apex of the chevron.
A sixteenth century English royal seal showing Henry VIII standing on a ship with scepter and orb in hand at the @nlireland.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 8:31 AM
A sixteenth century English royal seal showing Henry VIII standing on a ship with scepter and orb in hand at the @nlireland.bsky.social
A great seal depicting a child king enthroned in majesty at the @nlireland.bsky.social. This broken seal is attached to a writ in the name of King Edward, which in this case likely refers to the Yorkist pretender Lambert Simnel who was crowned as Edward VI in Dublin in May 1487.
September 17, 2025 at 8:43 AM
A great seal depicting a child king enthroned in majesty at the @nlireland.bsky.social. This broken seal is attached to a writ in the name of King Edward, which in this case likely refers to the Yorkist pretender Lambert Simnel who was crowned as Edward VI in Dublin in May 1487.
An illustration of Noah's ark in a fourteenth century Irish manuscript accredited to Ádhamh Ó Cianáin, a scholar from medieval Fermanagh, at the @nlireland.bsky.social. In the top left can be seen the dove (or 'colu[m]ba') carrying an olive leaf returning to the ark.
![An illustration of Noah's ark in a fourteenth century Irish manuscript accredited to Ádhamh Ó Cianáin, a scholar from medieval Fermanagh, at the @nlireland.bsky.social. In the top left can be seen the dove (or 'colu[m]ba') carrying an olive leaf returning to the ark.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:56ztmpmviaaig6uxz7zcylrf/bafkreiavflsolod7wafkfpzs7yoyya4ajosojt2dr6iutdn226p6qxvmta@jpeg)
September 15, 2025 at 6:52 AM
An illustration of Noah's ark in a fourteenth century Irish manuscript accredited to Ádhamh Ó Cianáin, a scholar from medieval Fermanagh, at the @nlireland.bsky.social. In the top left can be seen the dove (or 'colu[m]ba') carrying an olive leaf returning to the ark.
This wax impression is likely the oldest seal in the @nlireland.bsky.social, dating from the 1170s (and so only a few years after the Norman Invasion of Ireland). The legend around the circumference of the seal reads 'Seal of Richard Tirel' and it depicts Richard as a mounted knight.
September 12, 2025 at 8:23 AM
This wax impression is likely the oldest seal in the @nlireland.bsky.social, dating from the 1170s (and so only a few years after the Norman Invasion of Ireland). The legend around the circumference of the seal reads 'Seal of Richard Tirel' and it depicts Richard as a mounted knight.
Very happy to see this in print, an article I have written for History Ireland's new September/October issue called "'A Sea of Parchment' - Original Medieval Deeds in the National Library of Ireland" which provides a survey of the @nlireland.bsky.social large collection of medieval deeds.
August 29, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Very happy to see this in print, an article I have written for History Ireland's new September/October issue called "'A Sea of Parchment' - Original Medieval Deeds in the National Library of Ireland" which provides a survey of the @nlireland.bsky.social large collection of medieval deeds.
Very enjoyable lunchtime lecture today at the @nlireland.bsky.social speaking on the library's medieval deeds. Was excellent to see so many people in attendance and interested in medieval Irish manuscripts.
August 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Very enjoyable lunchtime lecture today at the @nlireland.bsky.social speaking on the library's medieval deeds. Was excellent to see so many people in attendance and interested in medieval Irish manuscripts.
One of my favourite manuscripts at the @nlireland.bsky.social is this royal charter of Edward III to Mellifont Abbey from 1348 with a fantastic illuminated initial depicting the letter 'E'.
To learn more about this manuscript come to my free lunchtime talk today:
www.nli.ie/exhibitions-...
To learn more about this manuscript come to my free lunchtime talk today:
www.nli.ie/exhibitions-...
August 21, 2025 at 6:47 AM
One of my favourite manuscripts at the @nlireland.bsky.social is this royal charter of Edward III to Mellifont Abbey from 1348 with a fantastic illuminated initial depicting the letter 'E'.
To learn more about this manuscript come to my free lunchtime talk today:
www.nli.ie/exhibitions-...
To learn more about this manuscript come to my free lunchtime talk today:
www.nli.ie/exhibitions-...
A finely detailed seal with a coat of arms belonging to Robert son of Maurice FitzRobert of Carnalwy. It is attached to a charter in the @nlireland.bsky.social from 1368 recording a grant of property in the parish of St Brigid in Dublin. Witnessing the grant is Peter Woder, mayor of Dublin.
August 17, 2025 at 7:42 AM
A finely detailed seal with a coat of arms belonging to Robert son of Maurice FitzRobert of Carnalwy. It is attached to a charter in the @nlireland.bsky.social from 1368 recording a grant of property in the parish of St Brigid in Dublin. Witnessing the grant is Peter Woder, mayor of Dublin.
Roundels with beautiful golden crowns in a manuscript in @nlireland.bsky.social showing the descent of the mythical kingdom of the Britons from Leyr to his daughter Cordeilla and then to his grandsons Morganus and Cunedagius, sons of Cordeilla's sisters. The basis for Shakespeare's King Lear.
August 15, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Roundels with beautiful golden crowns in a manuscript in @nlireland.bsky.social showing the descent of the mythical kingdom of the Britons from Leyr to his daughter Cordeilla and then to his grandsons Morganus and Cunedagius, sons of Cordeilla's sisters. The basis for Shakespeare's King Lear.
Really superb miniature showing Adam and Eve in an illuminated fifteenth century manuscript held at the @nlireland.bsky.social
August 6, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Really superb miniature showing Adam and Eve in an illuminated fifteenth century manuscript held at the @nlireland.bsky.social
Good impression of the seal of the town of Dundalk in County Louth from 1420 at the @nlireland.bsky.social Really interesting to see a spearman as one of the coat of arms "supporters" which was all too fitting as Dundalk was an English frontier town in the late medieval period.
August 1, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Good impression of the seal of the town of Dundalk in County Louth from 1420 at the @nlireland.bsky.social Really interesting to see a spearman as one of the coat of arms "supporters" which was all too fitting as Dundalk was an English frontier town in the late medieval period.
When the deeds have eyes...really fantastic portraiture, possibly of Edward III, in a English royal charter sent to Ireland in 1375 at @nlireland.bsky.social The face is drawn into the loop of the h for hib[er]nie or Ireland, and has a rather Big Brother (or Edward) is watching you feeling.
![When the deeds have eyes...really fantastic portraiture, possibly of Edward III, in a English royal charter sent to Ireland in 1375 at @nlireland.bsky.social The face is drawn into the loop of the h for hib[er]nie or Ireland, and has a rather Big Brother (or Edward) is watching you feeling.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:56ztmpmviaaig6uxz7zcylrf/bafkreiapzfotp6x74kols7s4wmftv62uscc43aus2cu6dgz4oqvdnq5nhe@jpeg)
July 22, 2025 at 9:16 AM
When the deeds have eyes...really fantastic portraiture, possibly of Edward III, in a English royal charter sent to Ireland in 1375 at @nlireland.bsky.social The face is drawn into the loop of the h for hib[er]nie or Ireland, and has a rather Big Brother (or Edward) is watching you feeling.
In what may be the oldest depiction of a gun an Irish manuscript - an ink drawing of a musket on a @nlireland.bsky.social charter from 1543 from the earl of Ormond to a Martin Potercelo granting property in Kilkenny. Potercelo is described as a 'gonn-' or gonner (gunner) in the grant.
July 18, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In what may be the oldest depiction of a gun an Irish manuscript - an ink drawing of a musket on a @nlireland.bsky.social charter from 1543 from the earl of Ormond to a Martin Potercelo granting property in Kilkenny. Potercelo is described as a 'gonn-' or gonner (gunner) in the grant.