Preserved in the Reichenau Primer (Stift St. Paul Cod. 86b/1 fol 1v), and now kept in St. Paul’s Abbey in the Lavanttal, Pangur Bán (Gaelic “white fuller”) is a circa 9th century Old Irish poem composed by an anonymous Irish monk about his pet cat. The poem, which compares the activities of the cat with those of the scribe himself, bears similarities to the poetry of Sedulius Scotus or Scottus (fl. 840-860), an Irish teacher, Latin grammarian, and scriptural commentator.
Messe agus Pangur Bán, cechtar nathar fria shaindán: bíth a menmasam fri seilgg, mu menma céin im shaincheirdd.Caraimse fos, ferr cach clú oc mu lebrán, léir ingnu; ní foirmtech frimm Pangur bán caraid cesin a maccdán Ó ru biam, scél gan scís Gnáth, húaraib, ar gressaib gal Fúachaidsem fri frega fál Fáelidsem cu ndéne dul Cia beimmi a-min nach ré Hé fesin as choimsid dáu; |
I and Pangur Bán, my cat ‘Tis a like task we are at; Hunting mice is his delight Hunting words I sit all night.Better far than praise of men ‘Tis to sit with book and pen; Pangur bears me no ill will, He too plies his simple skill. ‘Tis a merry thing to see Oftentimes a mouse will stray ‘Gainst the wall he sets his eye When a mouse darts from its den, So in peace our tasks we ply, Practice every day has made |
— English translation of Pangur Bán by Robin Flower.
In the 2009 animated movie The Secret of Kells, which is heavily inspired by Irish mythology, one of the supporting characters is a white cat named Pangur Bán who arrives at the monastery of Kells in the company of the monk, Aidan of Iona. A verse of the poem is read out during the credit roll.
I love all my little Pangur Ban’s !!!!!!!