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Irish Medicine in the medieval period was a fascinating blend of formal medical knowledge, herbalism, and folk healing traditions. Unlike many European countries, Ireland and Scotland produced vernacular translations of major medical texts studied in the universities of Paris, Salerno, and Bologna.
These texts, written in Early Modern Irish, were used by hereditary medical families who passed down their knowledge over generations. Alongside this learned tradition, folk healing practices thrived, drawing on a mix of herbal remedies, ritual cures, and protective charms.
Many of these medical manuscripts survive today in Irish, Scottish, and British archives, yet only a handful have been edited and translated into English.
Thanks to the work of scholars over the last century, some of these texts are now available through the CELT (Corpus of Electronic Texts) Project at University College Cork, offering rare insights into how medicine was practised in medieval Ireland.
Medical Knowledge in Medieval Ireland
During the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance, Irish physicians were highly trained and respected across Ireland and Scotland. Their education was rooted in both European medical knowledge and native healing traditions.
Manuscripts written between 1350 and 1606 document the work of these physicians, who studied and adapted medical theories from the likes of Galen, Avicenna, and John of Gaddesden and incorproated them into our own Irish medicine.
Unlike the more formal, Latin-based medical education of the Continent, Irish medical texts were written in the vernacular, making them accessible to physicians trained in Gaelic tradition.
These texts contain a vast array of knowledge, including:
- Disease diagnosis and treatment
- Surgical techniques and anatomy
- Pharmacology and herbal medicine
- Preventative health practices
- Magical and protective healing methods.
Despite the scientific grounding of medieval Irish medicine, there was no clear divide between learned medicine and folk remedies. Physicians incorporated practical cures and ritual elements, reflecting a holistic approach to healing in Irish medicine that persisted well into the modern era.
Medieval Irish Medicine in the Manuscripts
Thanks to the CELT Project and the work of dedicated scholars, a (relatively) small number of Irish medical manuscripts have been translated into English. These texts provide valuable insight into how medicine was practised in medieval Ireland.
Some of the translated Medieval Medical Manuscripts available are…
[click titles and scroll down for translations!]
- Rosa Anglica (John of Gaddesden, translated into Irish; edited by Winifred Wulff, 1929) – A medieval Irish translation of Rosa Anglica, a Latin medical textbook written by John of Gaddesden in the 14th century. It covers a wide range of medical topics, including diagnosis, treatment, and herbal remedies. The Irish adaptation reflects local medical practice and includes references to native herbs and treatments.
- A Tract on the Plague (edited and translated by Winifred Wulff) – This text offers an Irish medical perspective on plague outbreaks, drawing on contemporary knowledge of contagion, prevention, and treatment. It provides a rare glimpse into how medieval Irish physicians responded to epidemic disease.
- De Amore Hereos (edited and translated by Winifred Wulff) – A medieval treatise on lovesickness, this text examines the emotional and physical symptoms of amore hereos (passionate love), which was considered a genuine medical condition in medieval thought. The Irish translation offers insights into medieval psychological and medical approaches to human emotions.
- Contra Incantationes (edited and translated by Winifred Wulff) – This medical text addresses magical ailments and protective cures, illustrating the intersection of learned medicine and folk healing. It sheds light on how medieval Irish physicians understood supernatural afflictions and the role of ritual protection in medical practice.
- A Mediaeval Handbook of Gynaecology and Midwifery (edited and translated by Winifred Wulff) – An Irish translation of the Trotula, a major medieval European medical work focused on womenâs health, pregnancy, and childbirth. It provides insight into medieval Irish obstetrics and gynaecology, showing how medical knowledge was adapted for practical use in Gaelic society.
- An Irish Materia Medica (Tadhg Ă Cuinn, edited and translated by MicheĂĄl Ă Conchubhair) – Written in 1415, this is one of the most important Irish herbal texts, listing medicinal plants and their uses. MicheĂĄl Ă Conchubhairâs edition runs to 929 pages, and after his passing in 1993, his family donated his work to the School of Celtic Studies at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, ensuring it became publicly available through CELT.
Traditional Folk Remedies in Irish Healing
Alongside formal medical practice, folk healing traditions persisted in Ireland for centuries. These remedies often involved ritual cures, herbal treatments, and protective charms, many of which were passed down orally and remain a part of our Irish medicine traditions to this day.
Some examples recorded in 19th-century folklore collections include:
- Butter made from the milk of a married couple who had the same name before marriage was used to cure erysipelas.
- Bog water collected by the child of such a couple was used as a skin treatment.
- Blood of a black cat, a cat without a single white hair, was used to write a patientâs name around an affected area to cure erysipelas.
- Egg from a black hen, eaten first thing in the morning, was said to prevent fever for a year.
Foxâs tongue, dried and applied to a wound, was believed to draw out a thorn.- Robinâs breast rubbed on a person was thought to cure âthe Evilâ (possibly scrofula or tuberculosis).
- Ferretâs milk, given to a child after the ferret had drunk first, was believed to cure whooping cough.
Source: Haddon, A. C. âA Batch of Irish Folk-Lore.â Folklore 4, no. 3 (September 1893): 349â64.
While these remedies might seem unusual today, they reflect a deep cultural connection between healing, community, and the supernatural in Irish society.
Many of these practices survived into the 19th and early 20th centuries, showing the resilience of vernacular healing traditions.
Reviving Interest in Irish Medical Traditions
Irish Medicine in the medieval period was a sophisticated blend of formal medical education, herbal practice, and folk traditions. The medieval manuscripts available in translation provide an invaluable look at how medical knowledge was recorded, transmitted, and adapted in Ireland.
At the same time, folk healing traditions continued to thrive, demonstrating a holistic approach to health that remained deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual beliefs.
For those interested in exploring these texts further, the CELT Project at University College Cork provides free access to translations and editions, making these important resources available to scholars and the general public alike.
đ Medical Texts of Ireland 1350â1606 at CELT
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