How the Psalter of Cashel Was Stolen and Returned

transcribed at

How the Psalter of Cashel Was Stolen and Returned  [duchas:4861560]

We have an old legend handed down to us, telling how the "Psalter of Cashel" was stolen from The Rock by a professor who was teaching at the Bangor school and how it was brought back by another Cashel man. The following are the facts as handed down to us.

In the ancient school of Bangor - one of Erin's most famous schools - there taught a noted scholar - a native of Cashel - who said he'd never rest until he took from The Rock of Cashel - by fair means or foul - the great book, the work of Cormac Mac Cuilennáin, King & Bishop of Munster - and keep it at Bangor.

To accomplish this he disguised himself in lady's apparel & walked from the college many long miles & through bad roads till he arrived at Cashel

How the Psalter of Cashel Was Stolen and Returned  [duchas:4861561]

Presenting himself at the gate of the (the) Royal Palace on The Rock, he (she) was admitted by the old care-taker who - though suspicious - yet was inclined to believe the visitor to be a highborn lady seeking refuge from a cruel husband who was in league with an uprising of the McGuire Clan in Fermanagh.

The "lady" was treated with hospitality and brought through the Library of the Palace where "she" saw for the first time the much-spoken-of and famous "Psalter of Cashel." Cunningly & silently - while the librarian was at the end of room searching for some attractive volume with which to entertain the "lady" the precious Psalter was wrapped in the ample folds of "her" capacious mantle - & thus disappeared for years - the great Book, much to the grief of the clergy and people of ancient Cashel.

Consternation reigned in the

How the Psalter of Cashel Was Stolen and Returned  [duchas:4861562]

Palace during the absence of the Psalter & search was made throughout the country but all in vain.  After much anxiety, it dawned upon the old gateman who admitted the strange "lady" that fierce winter's night that that unusual visitor & at such a late hour had no good object in view.

With the permission of the King, the old man travelled to the great school of Bangor (disguised) as a beggar-man & kept saying in solemn words, he would not return without Cashel's historical volume. It was with brave heart he started & having arrived at the main gate of the famous college, he was admitted and making known to the professors that he came from Cashel of the Kings, he was treated as no mendicant(?) was ever treated.

Remaining for a week, he soon became familiar with the many rooms -

How the Psalter of Cashel Was Stolen and Returned  [duchas:4861563]

lecture halls & cells in the vast establishment.  Finally he found the "Transcribers Cell" & there resting on an oak desk, he discovered the (book of) "Psalter of Cashel" - the book of Cormac Mac Cuilennáin.

He instantly placed it in his bag & patiently waiting until darkness covered the earth, he betook him to the road, bringing back in triumph the valued Book without which, he swore before the King, not to return.

Great joy reigned in the Royal house-hold, when he rapped at the big gate of The Rock bringing back the treasure that was stolen by the Cashel professor disguised as a lady on that stormy December night in 905."