The Irish, the Virgin Mary and Proclus of Constantinople

An analysis of an eclectic group of five specific attributes of the Virgin Mary in four Old-Irish texts not later than the end of the eighth century: the Old-Irish tract on the Mass in the Stowe Missal, Cain Adomnain, Cu Chuimne’s Hymnum in laudem S. Mariae, and Blathmac’s poems to the Virgin. These texts bear striking similarities to abstract ideas from the East, notably those in the Mariological writings of Proclus, bishop of Constantinople. Here I explicate the unique character of each attribute, beginning with Proclus’ formulation and liturgical use, and compare them to their Irish counterparts. I also discuss how the Irish came to know his writings.