Note 45 — Chapter I · INTRODUCTORY—THE USE OF BOOKS IN EARLY IRISH MONASTERIES

Stokes (W.), T. L., 75. The terms used for satchels are sacculi (Lat.), and tiag, or tiag liubhair or teig liubair (Ir.). There has been some confusion between pólaire and tiag, the former being regarded as a leather case for a single book, the latter a satchel for several books. This distinction is made in connection with the ancient Irish life of Columba, which is therefore made to read that the saint used to make cases and satchels for books (pólaire ocus tiaga), v. Adamnan, 115. Cf. Petrie, Round Towers, 336-7. But the late Dr. Whitley Stokes makes pólaire or pōlire, or the corruption folaire, derive from pugillares = writing tablets.—Stokes (W.), T. L., cliii. and 655. This interpretation of the word gives us the much more likely reading that Columba made tablets, and satchels for books.