Mael Ísu Ua Brolcháin

Mael Ísu Ua Brolcháin (died 1086), Irish churchman and writer.

Biography

A member of a high-class ecclesiastical family in what is now County Donegal, "genealogical sources give his father as Máel Brigte and his three brothers as Áed, Diarmait, and Muirecan."

Besides holding a number of benefices and wielding considerable political influence, he was the author of the poem To an Elderly Virgin. He died as a member of the religious community of Armagh in 1086, recorded as being the chief sage of Ireland.

Members of his lineage served as Bishop of Derry.

Works

His most prominent work is a Latin and Irish hymn, Deus Meus Adiuva Me.[1]

The piece has been translated by scholars including Gerard Murphy and continues to be performed in its modern Irish form.

Lyrics:

Deus meus adiuva me
Tabhair dom do shearch, a Mhic ghil Dé
Tabhair dom do shearch, a Mhic ghil Dé
Deus meus adiuva me.

Domine da quod peto a te,
Tabhair dom go dian a ghrian ghlan ghlé,
Tabhair dom go dian a ghrian ghlan ghlé,
Domine da quod peto a te.

Domine, Domine, exaudi me,
M’anam bheith lán de d’ghrá, a Dhé,
M’anam bheith lán de d’ghrá, a Dhé,
Domine, Domine exaudi me.

For translation see Deus Meus, Adiuva Me and live version sung with harp

References

Sources

  • pp. 48–50; 396, The New Oxford Book of Irish Verse, edited, with translations, by Thomas Kinsella, 1986.
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