Irish biblical apocrypha

Ireland has a rich legacy of apocryphal material, which can be traced back in origin to the earliest centuries of Christianity in the island. Some of the writings are in Latin, but most have been handed down in vernacular Irish translation. These writings in Irish form one of the richest collections of apocryphal material in any vernacular language. Of this body of literature, some texts are straightforward Irish translations of well-known Latin writings. Others are translations of early, rare or little attested Apocrypha. Some have no known original, although they appear to be direct translations of some lost apocryphal work. Some are apocryphal writings, worked into a new Irish composition. Still others are modifications of some apocryphal writing, combined with native Irish tradition. Under the auspices of the Irish Biblical Association, the editors have here brought together in English translation the most important texts, bearing on both the Old and New Testament.