[17] In some of the monasteries a special
room for books was provided. The Annals of Tigernach
refer to the house of manuscripts.[3] An apartment of this
kind is particularly mentioned as being saved from the
flames when Armagh monastery was burned (1020).
Another fact suggesting an abundance of books was the
appointment of a librarian, which sometimes took place.[4]
Although a special book-room and officer are only to be
met with much later than the best age of Irish monachism,
yet we may reasonably assume them to be the natural
culmination of an old and established practice of making
and using books.
[1] Adamnan, 365n.
[2] Hyde, 220; Stokes (M.), 10, "Connachtach, an Abbot of Iona
who died in 802, is called in the Irish annals a scribe most
choice.' "--Trenholme, Iona, 32.
[3] Tech-screptra; domus scripturarum.
[4] Leabhar coimedach. Adamnan, 359, note m.
Such statements, however, are not necessarily contradictory.
Manuscripts over which the cleverest scribes
and illuminators had spent much time and pains would be
jealously preserved in cases or shrines; still, when we
remember how many precious fruits of the past must have
perished, the number of beautiful Irish manuscripts extant
goes to prove that books even of this character could not
have been extraordinarily rare.
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