Risdeard Ó Conchubhair facts for kids

Risdeard Ó Conchubhair was an Irish scribe and physician who lived from 1561 to 1625. He was part of an important family of doctors in Gaelic Ireland, a time when Ireland had its own traditional way of life and government.

A Family of Doctors

Risdeard came from the Ó Conchubhair family, who were well-known for their medical skills in an area called Ossory in Leinster. This family was also connected to the Ó Connchubhair Failghe dynasty, who were rulers of the Kingdom of Uí Failghe. For many years, families like Risdeard's passed down medical knowledge from one generation to the next.

Risdeard's Work as a Scribe

Risdeard was not only a doctor but also a scribe. A scribe was someone who copied books and documents by hand before printing presses existed. This was a very important job because it helped preserve knowledge and stories.

A Look at His Own Words

We know a lot about Risdeard's work from a special book he copied. This book is now kept at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. In this book, Risdeard wrote a note about himself and his work. He said:

• His name was Richard, and he was the son of Muircheartach.
• He copied a medical book called Prognostica by Bernardus.
• He learned his skills from his relative and teacher, Donnchadh Og O Conchubhair, who was the main doctor for the Mac Giollapadraig family.
• He finished copying the book on April 1, 1590, in a place called Achadh Mic Airt.
• He copied it from another book that belonged to Fearghus Mac Bheathadh.

This note helps us understand how scribes worked and how medical knowledge was shared in Ireland during his time.

See also

• Irish medical families