Book of the Dean of Lismore

The chief compiler, after whom it is named, was James MacGregor (Seumas MacGriogair), vicar of Fortingall and titular Dean of Lismore Cathedral,[1] although there are other probable scribes, including his brother Donnchadh[2] and William Drummond (Uileam Druimeanach), curate of Fortingall.

It is unrelated to the similarly named Book of Lismore, an Irish manuscript from the early 15th century.

[4] These include Aithbhreac Nighean Coirceadail (f. 1460), who wrote a lament for her husband, the constable of Castle Sween.

[5] The same book also includes three poems by Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin, the daughter of Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll (died 1493).

By far the most famous of the three poems is Éistibh, a Luchd an Tighe-se, which Thomas Owen Clancy has described as, "a fairly obscene boast to the court circle on the size and potency of her household priest's penis.