oa Het mensenoffer als literair motief in het middeleeuwse Ierland

This article describes four of the twelve extant examples of the motif of human sacrifice in medieval Irish literature. One of these is extensively analysed: the narrative in prose and poetry about pre-Christian, annual child sacrifice on the Plain of Slécht from the dindshenchas, the collection of medieval etymological explanations of place names. The literary development of this narrative is investigated and it is argued that biblical descriptions of idolatry have been the main source of inspiration for this tale. This conclusion is then connected with the way in which the scribes/authors of medieval Irish literature dealt with the pre-Christian past in consecutive periods.