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 TRANSACTIONS 
 
 OF 
 
 "^mH I!IBIiIEM(D=»(SIlIL^II(S ^(2)(SIl^^¥c> 
 
 FOR 
 
 1820. 
 
 VOL. I. — PART 1.
 
 TRANSACTIONS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ii]BisiBJ?®a(©iia»^a(S ©(©(eau^n 
 
 FOR 
 
 1820. 
 
 VOL. I.— PART I. 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 A CHRONOLOGICAL ACCOUNT OF NEARLY FOUR HUNDRED 
 
 IRISH WRITERS, 
 
 COMMENCING WITH 
 
 THE EARLIEST ACCOUNT OF IRISH HISTORY, 
 
 jlND CARRIED DOWN TO THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1750; 
 WITH 
 
 3 ^eiBicriptitJe Catalogue 
 
 Of such of their Works as are still extant in Verse or Prose, consisting of upwards of 
 ONE THOUSAND SEPARATE TRACTS. 
 
 BY EDWARD O RE ILLY, ESQ. 
 
 Author of the Irish-English Dictionary and Grammar, &c. &c. &c. and Assistant Secretary to the Society. 
 
 Dublin : 
 
 PRINTED, FOR THE SOCIETY, 
 
 BY A. O'NEIL, AT THE MINERVA PRINTING-OFFICE, CHANCERY- LANE. 
 
 1820,
 
 LIST OF MEMBERS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 
 IJBIEMNO - CEILTIC SOCIETY. 
 
 J^atron, 
 
 HIS EXCELLENCY EARL TALBOT. 
 HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF LEINSTER. 
 
 VICE PRESIDENTS, 
 
 Most Noble the Mauquis of Sligo, 
 Most Noble the Marquis of Thomond, 
 Right Honorable Earl O'Neill, 
 
 Right Honorable Lord Viscount 
 
 Frankfort de Montmorency, 
 Riffht Hon. Lord Viscount Monk, 
 
 Right Hon. Earl of Rosso. 
 
 Right Hon. Earl Mount Charles. 
 
 Right Hon. Lord Viscount De Vesci.- 
 
 Right Hon. Lord Carbery. 
 
 Right Hon. Lord Castlecoote 
 
 Right Hon. Lord Clonbrock. 
 
 Right Hon. Lord Garvagh. ! 
 
 Right Hon. John RadclitF, Judge of the Pre- 
 rogative. 
 
 Hon. James Hewitt. 
 
 Hon. Windham Quinn, M. P. 
 
 Sir Robert Langrishe, Bart. 
 
 Sir Neale O'Donnell, Bart. 
 
 Sir Capel Molyneux, Bart. 
 
 Sir Henry Meredyth, Bart. 
 
 Sir William Burdett, Bart. 
 
 Sir John Bourke, Bart. 
 
 Sir William Betham, Secretary & Treasurer. 
 
 Right Rev. Doctor John Murphy, R. C. Bishop 
 of Cork. 
 
 Right Rev. Doctor Mac Nicholas, R. C. Bishop 
 of Achonry. 
 
 General Cuppage 
 
 Henry Adair, Esq. 
 
 William Ball, Esq. 
 
 Edward James Baynes, Esq.. 
 
 Francis Beatty, Esq. 
 
 Wrixon Becher, Esq. M. P. 
 
 Ezekiel Davis Boyde, Esq. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Crotty, President of 
 the Royal College, Maynooth. 
 
 b 
 
 Eccles Cuthbert, Esq. 
 
 Rev. Morgan D'Arcy, D. D. 
 
 John D'Alton, Esq. 
 
 Richard Downes, Esq. 
 
 William Fletcher, Esq. 
 
 John Fowler, Esq. 
 
 Sheffield Grace, Esq. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Goff. 
 
 William Gorman, Esq. 
 
 Robert Gunne, Esq. 
 
 James Hardiman, Esq. 
 
 Mathew Weld Hartstonge, Esq. 
 
 Rev. William Liddiard, Chaplain to His Ex- 
 cellency the Lord Lieutenant. 
 
 Samuel Litton. Esq. M. D. 
 
 Rev. M. P. Kinsela. 
 
 William Monck Mason, Esq. 
 
 Hen. J. Monck Mason, Esq. L.L.D. M.R.I. A. 
 
 Richard Malone, Esq. Palace Park. 
 
 Henry M'Dougall, Esq. 
 
 John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 William Shaw Mason, Esq. 
 
 Randal M'Donell, Esq. 
 
 James M'Donell, Esq. M. D. Belfast. 
 
 Rev. Marcus Monck. 
 
 J. H. North, Esq. 
 
 Rev. Paul O'Brien, Professor of the Irish 
 Language, Royal College of Maynooth. 
 
 Mathew O'Conor, Esq. 
 
 Colonel O'Kelly. 
 
 Rev. Cernelius O'MuIIan. 
 
 11275S0
 
 LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 Neale John 0"Ncill, Esq. 
 
 Rev. Mr. 0"Nolan. 
 
 Edward O'Reilly, Esq. Compiler of the Irish- 
 
 En<;lish Dictionary. Assistant Secretary. 
 Andrew O'Reilly, Esq. 
 Miles John O'Reilly, Esq. 
 Brian O'Reilly, Esq. 
 William Parsons, Esq. 
 George Petrie, Esq. 
 Rev. William Phelan, F. T. C- D. 
 Richard Power, Esq. 
 Henry T. Redmond, Esq. 
 James Miles Reilly, Esq. 
 James Roche, Esq. Cork. 
 
 Rev. Francis Sadlier, D, D. F. T. C, D. 
 
 Lieut. Colonel Merrick Shaw. 
 
 Rev. Joseph Singer, M. A. F. T. C. D- 
 
 Captain John Skinner, R. N. 
 
 Rev. Charles Stronge. 
 
 Richard Wogan Talbot, Esq. M. P. 
 
 W'alter Thorn, Esq. 
 
 Henry Townsend, Esq. 
 
 Rev. George Vesey, D. D. Chaplain to His 
 
 R. H. the Duke of Kent. 
 Thomas Wallace. Esq. 
 Rev. Robert Walsh, D. D. 
 Edward Walsh, Esq. 
 Mathew West, Esq. 
 
 Acting Committee for the Year, ending 17th March, 1820. 
 
 1 John D'AIton, Esq. 
 a General Cuppage. 
 
 3 William Fletcher, Esq. 
 
 4 John Fowler, Esq. 
 
 5 Sheffield Grace, Esq. 
 
 6 Rev. Mr. Goff. 
 
 7 James Hardiman, Esq. 
 
 8 Mathew Weld Hartstonge, Esq. 
 
 9 John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 10 William Monck Mason, Esq. 
 
 11 Henry Monck Mason, Esq. 
 
 12 Rev. William Liddiard. 
 
 13 Rev. M. P. Kinsela. 
 14. Rev. Paul O'Brien. 
 
 15 Rev. Cornelius O'MulIan. 
 
 16 Neale John O'Neill, Esq. 
 
 17 Rev. F. Sadlier, F. T. C. D. 
 
 18 Rev. Joseph Singer, F. T. C. D. 
 
 19 Rev. C. Stronge. 
 
 20 Rev. Robert Walsh. 
 
 21 Edward Walsh, Esq. 
 
 To the above are to be added the President, Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, 
 and Assistant Secretary, Members of the Committee, in virtue of their respective 
 offices.
 
 RULES AND REGULATIONS, 
 
 <fec. &c. 
 
 ^-^.".".■^^woo-cr.x 
 
 L 
 
 JL HE Society shall consist of an unlimited number of Members, ordinary and cor- 
 responding, governed by a President and six Vice Presidents. 
 
 IL 
 
 Persons desirous to become Members of the Society, shall be proposed by a Member, 
 either at a General Meeting or a Committee Meeting, and balloted for at the next 
 General Meeting ; but if proposed at a Committee Meeting, it must be at least one 
 month before the General Meeting. The balloting to commence exactly at one o'clock, 
 or as soon after as fourteen Members (including the President, or Chairman) shall 
 have assembled, and one black bean in every seven shall reject the proposed Candidate. 
 The ballot to continue one full hour. 
 
 in. 
 
 Members, upon their admission, shall pay one Guinea as entrance subscription, and 
 thirty Shillings per annum towards the general fund of the Society. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The Society may elect honorary or correspondent Members, by ballot, in the same 
 manner as ordinary Members are to be balloted for. The honorary or corresponding 
 Members may attend all meetings, offer opinions, and make communications, but have 
 no privilege of voting, or of being elected to offices : they may, however, be admitted 
 as ordinary Members, without any further ballot, upon their paying similar contribu- 
 tions with those paid by the ordinai-y class. 
 
 The payment of ten Guineas at one time, shall constitute a Member for life, free of 
 any annual subscriptions.
 
 Jltn.ES AND nEGULATIONS. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The ordinary business of the Society shall be conducted by a Committee, to be 
 annually chosen, consisting of twenty-one Members, besides the President, Vice Pre- 
 sidents, Treasurer, Secretary and Assistant Secretary, Members of the Committee ex 
 officio ; three Members of the Committee shall be a quorum. The President or t hairman 
 ■of the Committee to have no vote, on any question, except in case of equality of votes. 
 All Members of the Society, though not of the Committee, shall have the privilege to 
 .attend at Committee meetings, but are to have no vote. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The Committee shall meet on the first and third Tuesdays of every month, and occa- 
 sionally as business may require, on intimation of the President or Secretary of the 
 nature of the business to be laid before them, at least two days before the intended 
 meeting ; and no business but that which shall be so intimated, shall be decided on at 
 that meeting. They shall keep a record of their Proceedings, to be laid before the 
 General Meeting, for their consideration and approbation ; and shall have a power to 
 call extraordinary General Meetings, whenever occasion shall require, of which previous 
 intimation shall be made, by notices to that effect, served on the Members at least one 
 <week before the meeting. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The Society shall hold four annual meetings ; one on the I7tli of March, except it 
 shall happen on Sunday, and in that case, on the Monday following ; the second on 
 the first Tuesday in June ; the third on the first Tuesday in September ; and the fourth 
 on the first Tuesday in December. Besides these stated meetings, the Society shall 
 hold extraordinary meetings as often as they shall be called thereto by a vote of the 
 Committee. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Every future election of Officers to this Society shall be held at the March meetings ; 
 the President and Vice Presidents to serve for life ; the Treasurer, Secretary, Sub- 
 Secretary, and Committee shall fill their respective offices for one year. Before March 
 meeting IS 19, and every future March meeting, each Member shall pay in his annual 
 contribution of thirty Shillings, or otherwise forfeit his place in the Society.
 
 RULES AND REGULATIONS. 
 
 X. 
 
 Tiie election of Officers shall be conducted in the following manner, viz.— Each 
 Member shall be furnished with a slip of paper, on which he shall write the name or 
 names of the persons whom he may judge proper to fill the respective offices of the 
 Society ; and when all the Members present have written on their slips, they shall bo 
 handed to the Chairman, who shall read them with an audible voice, and the Secretary 
 shall take an account of them in writing, and he or they whose name or names shall 
 appear on the greater number of slips, shall be considered as duly elected to fill such 
 office or offices. 
 
 XI. 
 
 No religious or political debates whatsoever shall be permitted at any of the meelinn's 
 of the Society ; such subjects being foreign to the objects of the Institution. 
 
 XII. 
 
 The subscriptions shall be paid to, and the funds deposited in, the hands of the 
 Treasurer, subject to the disposal of the Committee, as hereafter specified. His 
 accounts shall be annually audited by the Committee, at their meeting immediately 
 preceding the General Meeting in March ; at which they shall be regularly produced, 
 and also at every meeting of the Committee, for the inspection of Members. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 All accounts furnished to the Society shall be examined by the Committee ; and if 
 found correct, the Chairman shall certify the same, by affixing his initials, and give an 
 order on the Treasurer for payment. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Besides the occasional expenditure to be disbursed by the Treasurer, the Committee 
 shall, at any one meeting, have power to order the application of a sum, not exceeding 
 ten Pounds sterling, for the purchase of Books or Manuscripts, or for any of the general 
 objects of the Society. The order on the Treasurer for payment of such money, shall 
 express the purport of such application, and shall be signed by the Chairman of the 
 Committee. For the disposal of any greater sum, the authority of a General Meeting 
 shall be obtained. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Whatever balance of the annual funds of the Society, exceeding fifty Pounds, shall 
 remain unexpended, together with any donation or bequest made to the Society, shall
 
 RULES AMD KEGULATIONS. 
 
 be formed into a capital, and laid out, on proper security, with the approbation of the 
 Committee. No part of such capital to be afterwards applied, but by authority of a 
 General Meeting ; previously to which, intimation shall be always made at two meetings 
 of the Committee. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 The Secretary shall have custody of the Records, Papers, nnd Books of the Society, 
 to which all the Members shall have access, at any reasonable time. And all letters 
 and communications for the Society shall be directed to him, and he shall lay the same 
 before the Committee forthwith. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 The Society shall have it in their power to alter old, and enact new Regulations, at 
 any General Meeting, provided that such intended Regulation shall be notified at a 
 meeting of the Committee, previously to the General Meeting at which such is proposed 
 to be made.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ••••ol €&(••••• 
 
 xi^MONGST the various modes adopted by most modern nations for 
 the advancement of Science, and the investigation of natural and civil 
 History, that of establishing literary Societies seems to be as effectual as 
 it is prevalent. There are few nations in Europe that have not associa- 
 tions to promote Arts and Sciences; to encourage philosophical research ; 
 to illustrate local antiquities, and perpetuate national History. Ireland, 
 also, has had her Societies, some of whom laboured, by their publications, 
 to rescue from oblivion and decay, some of the vast quantities of her 
 ancient Annals, her Laws, her Poetry, and her Music. 
 
 In the year 1740 a number of literary Gentlemen associated under the 
 name of the Physico-Historieal Society, under whose patronage were 
 published the Histories of Cork, Kerry, and Waterford. In the vear 
 1752, another Society was formed in Dublin, whose views were confined 
 to the publication of tracts in the Irish language. It was known by the 
 appellation of CoimaoMl gciobilge, or Irish Society, but does not appear 
 to have ever published. About this time, indeed, the first edition of 
 O'Connor's " Dissertations on the History of Ireland" appeared, but we 
 have no cause to infer that the Avork was ever encouraged by either of 
 those Societies. The publication, however, attracted a good deal of 
 notice, and drew from the celebrated Doctor Johnson a letter to the 
 author, on the subject of Irish literature, from which the following 
 extract may not be considered impertinent. — " I have long wished that 
 the Irish literature were cultivated. Ireland is known by tradition to 
 have been the scat of piety and learning ; and surely it would be very
 
 u 
 
 acceptable to those who are curious either in the original of nations, or 
 the affinities of languages, to be further informed of the revolutions of a 
 people so ancient, and once so illustrious. I hope you will continue to 
 cultivate this kind of learnino; which has lain so lonj; neglected, and 
 which, if it be suffered to remain in oblivion for another century, may 
 perhaps never be retrieved." In the year 1777, Doctor Campbell, 
 author of " Strictures on the Ecclesiastical and Literary History of 
 Ireland," was the bearer of another letter from Johnson to Mr. O'Connor, 
 from which, as it has been since wilfully misquoted by Campbell, it 
 becomes necessary to give the following extract, as it appears in the Life 
 of Johnson, by Boswell, who may be presumed to have fairly given the 
 letter as it was written by its illustrious author. — " What the Irish lan- 
 guage is in itself, and to what languages it has affinity, are very interesting- 
 questions which every man wishes to see resolved, tliat has any philo- 
 logical or historical curiosity. Doctor Leland begins his History too late. 
 The ages which deserve an exact inquiry, are those times, for such times 
 there were, when Ireland was the School of the West, the quiet habitation 
 of sanctity and literature. If you could give a historj , though imperfect, 
 of the Irish nation, from its conversion to Christianity, to the invasion 
 from England, you would amplify knowledge with new views and new 
 objects. Set about it, therefore, if you can ; do what you can easily do 
 without anxious exactness. Lay the foundation, and leave the super- 
 structure to posterity." 
 
 After the extinction of the Irish Society, nothing appears to have been 
 done towards the publication of our History or Antiquities by any collec- 
 tive body, until about the year 1782 or 1783, when some essays having 
 appeared under the name of "• Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis/' induced 
 the highly-talented authors to oo-operate and found the Society of Anti- 
 quaries. The principal person in the formation of this Society, and the 
 publication of those tracts, was the late General Vallancey ; and the 
 specimens he gave of some of our ancient laws excited much curiosity, 
 and a desire for further information on so interesting a subject. Amongst 
 those who were particularly charmed with its novelty and importance, 
 was the late celebrated Edmund Burke. That Gentleman felt the 
 matter of such vast moment to literature, that he prevailed ou Sir John
 
 Ill 
 
 Seabright to restore to this country many of her ancient records that harf 
 fallen into his hands, and he accordingly presented to the library of 
 Trinity College, Dublin, an invaluable treasure of Irish MSS. that had 
 been collected from various parts of Ireland about the beginning of the 
 last century, by the learned and indefatigable antiquary Edward Lhuyd, 
 author of the Archaeologia.. 
 
 What were the views of Mr, Burke in this interference, and what his 
 expectations from the University and the Society of Antiquaries, will 
 best appear from his letter of 15th August, 1783, addressed to General 
 Vallancey. In this he says, " I shall tell you what a judicious antiquary, 
 about twenty years ago, told me concerning the Chronicles in verse or 
 prose, upon which the Irish histories, and the discussions of antiquaries 
 are founded, that he wondered that the learned of Ireland had never 
 printed the originals of these pieces, with literal translations into Latin 
 or English, by which they might become proper subjects of criticism, 
 and by comparison with each other, as well as by an examination of the 
 interior relations of each piece within itself, they might serve to she\\i, 
 how much ought to be retained, and how much rejected. They might 
 also serve to contrast or confirm the histories which atfect to be extracted 
 from them, such as O'Flaherty's and Keating's. All the histories of the 
 middle ages, which have been found in other countries, have been 
 printed. The English have, I think, the best histories of that period. 
 I do not see why the Psalter of Cashel should not be printed, as well as 
 Robert of Gloster. If I were to give my opinion to the Society of Anti- 
 quaries, I should propose that they should be printed in two columns, 
 one Irish and the other Latin, like tlie Saxon Chronicle, which is a very 
 valuable monument, and above all things, that the translation should 
 be exact and literal. It was in the hope that some such thing should be 
 done, that I originally prevailed on Sir John Seabright to let me have 
 his MSS. and that I sent them by Doctor Leland to Dublin. You have 
 infinite merit in the taste you have given of them in several of you* 
 collections. But these extracts only increase the curiosity and the just 
 demand of the public for some entire pieces. Until something of this 
 kind is done, that ancient period of Irish history, which precedes official 
 records, camiot be said to stand upon any proper authority. A work of 
 
 c
 
 IV 
 
 this kind, pursued by the University and the Society of Antiquaries, under 
 your inspection, would do honour to the nation." 
 
 Dean Swift, also, (though fond of abusing the Irish) in a letter to the 
 £arl of Oxford, gives much praise to our ancestors for the care with 
 which they preserved the " memory of times and persons" so much 
 greater than is used " in this age of learning, as we are pleased to call it;" 
 and in a letter to the Duke of Chandos, dated 3lst August, 1734, he 
 requests that nobleman to restore to Ireland, by presenting to the library 
 of Trinity College, Dublin, then newly erected, a large quantity of her 
 ancient records, on paper and parchment, then in his Grace's possession, 
 that had been formerly collected and carried oflf from this country by the 
 Earl of Clarendon, during the time of his government here. The Duke,, 
 however, did not comply with the Dean's request, and the manuscripts 
 still remain in an English library. 
 
 That the ancient Annals of Ireland are of vast importance and value 
 to the Historian, is an opinion not confined to the natives of these islands. 
 Several learned men on the Continent have felt and acknowledged their 
 credibility and utility. The Journal des Scavans for October 1764, has 
 these words : " C'est un principe incontestable, que, sur I'histoire de 
 chaque pays, les annales nationales, quand elles sont anciennes, autheu- 
 tiques, et reconnues pour telles par les etrangers, meriteut plus de foi 
 que les annales etrangeres." — " Plusieurs scavans etrangers, reconnoissent 
 que les Irlandois, ont des annales d'une antiquite tres respectable, et 
 d'une authenticite a toute epreuve." The author proceeds to quote 
 upon this point, the authority of Stillingtleet and Innes, " qui na jamais 
 Hatte les Irlandois." 
 
 However, neither the Society of Antiquaries nor the University have 
 attempted or encouraged the publication of any of those pieces which 
 Swift, Johnson, Burke, and others, thought of so much importance to 
 literature, and to the credit of Ireland. Indeed very shortly after this 
 period the Society of Antiquaries became extinct. From that institution, 
 however, sprung up the Royal Irish Academy, which, notwithstanding 
 that in the early volumes of its transactions, some little has been done for 
 Irish Antiquities, as well as in the last volume, seems to have directed its 
 principal attention to Science.
 
 This neglect of Irish history and antiquities induced a few individuals, 
 early in the year 1807, to form the Gaelic Society of Dublin. That Body, 
 within a year after their formation, published a volume, containing some 
 observations on the Irish language; Teige M'Daire's Instructions to a 
 Prince, in the original language and character, accompanied by a literal 
 translation into Latin, and an English translation in verse : and the tragic 
 tale of the Children of Usnach, also in the original languaae and charac- 
 ter, with a strictly literal translation into English. 
 
 Besides the volume now mentioned, the Gaelic Society has published 
 nothing, as a Body, but individual Members have published works which 
 furnish the means for a complete elucidation of the History, Laws, 
 Maimers, and Customs of the ancient Irish. The Reverend Doctors 
 O'Brien and Neilson, the late Mr. Patrick Lynch, and the late Mr. Hali- 
 day, a youth of extraordinary talent and acquirements, members of that 
 Society, have each published a Grammar of the Irish lano-uaire, and 
 Mr. Edward O'Reilly, who was also one of its members, has lately pub- 
 lished an Irish-English Dictionary, consisting of upwards of fifty thousand 
 words, collected from ancient and modern manuscripts, and from printed 
 books. 
 
 Subsequent to the formation of the Gaelic Society, an association, under 
 the name of the A rcha;ological Society, was commenced in Dublin, for 
 the same purposes as the former, but its exertions have as yet effected 
 little. 
 
 Ungrateful and useless would be the task for us to inquire, why so little 
 effectual has yet been done towards the preservation and elucidation of 
 our national records and antiquities, whilst those of almost every other 
 European nation have been sedulously attended to by their respective 
 people. Yet we cannot but regret the fact, that our ancient Manuscripts, 
 the monuments of our country's fame, still remain on the shelves of 
 libraries, covered with the dust of ages, and disregarded by our natives. 
 
 The example of other nations should stimulate us to exertion. TJie 
 Highland Societies of Edinburgh and London have done a vast deal for 
 their nation. By them, and by their encouragement, several volumes have 
 been published on Gaelic literature and antiquities; many of them are 
 in the original language of their country, between which and our native
 
 VI 
 
 tongue there is scarcely any diflerence, being only a provincial variation. 
 ^Vitliin a few years past the people of England have reprinted such of 
 their old Chronicles as in any manner tended to throw a light upon the 
 ancient state or history of their country ; and while England and Scu'iand 
 apply a suitable attention to the antiquities and ancient literature of their 
 respective nations, shall it be said that Ireland alone in the empire, 
 remains without an exertion of her sons to revive her ancient fame, and 
 assert the justness of her claims as the nurse of Science, and the patron 
 of Literature, to whom she afforded an hospitable asylum, when outcast 
 and alienated from every other nation in Europe ! 
 
 Prompted by all these considerations, a few Irish Gentlemen have 
 formed themselves into an association, under the name of the Iberno- 
 Celtic Society, for the national objects set forth in their Resolution of the 
 28th of January, 1818, in these words; 
 
 " Resolved, That the principal objects of this Society shall be the 
 preservation of the venerable remains of Irish Literature, by collecting, 
 transcribing, illustrating, and publishing the numerous fragments of the 
 Laws, History, Topography, Poetry, and Music of ancient Ireland ; the 
 elucidation of the Language, Antiquities, Manners and Customs of the 
 Irish people ; and the encouragement of Works tending to the advance- 
 ment of Irish Literature." 
 
 The list of the Members of tliis Association has lately been enlarged by 
 the addition of some of the most illustrious and learned characters in the 
 country. From such a community much is to be hoped ; and much that 
 impeded the progress of former Societies is happily removed from the 
 course of this. No deficiency of members sufficiently skilled in our 
 native language, is here felt ; no want of the free and open means to 
 study and attain a competent knowledge of it, longer dispirits. There 
 are now published Grammars and a Dictionary, by the aid of which any 
 gentleman may acquire a knowledge of one of the most ancient and most 
 expressive languages in the world. 
 
 To the attainment of its end, the intention of the Iberno-Celtic Society 
 is, to publish such works of merit in the Irish language, as are still 
 preserved in ancient manuscripts, deposited in public libraries, or in the 
 hands of individuals. Of these venerable remains of Irish learning many
 
 vn 
 
 are of great merit, and all deserve to be rescued from oblivion, as tliey 
 are fully illustrative of the history, genius, manners and customs of the 
 Irish people. Some of these manuscripts are in the hand-writing of their 
 respective authoi-s. Others, the larger part we must admit, are only 
 copies, but they are copies of considerable antiquity, and preserved in the 
 compilations of writers of great celebrity, such as the authors of tlie 
 Din Seanchas, the Psalter of Cashel, the Book of Leinster, the Book 
 of Glendalough, the Ulster Book, the Munster Book, the Book of the 
 Eoganachts, the Book of Meath, the Book of the Conallians, the Book 
 of the Oirgiallans, the white Book, the Book of Leacan, the Book of 
 Ballimote, the Book of Fermoy, the Book of Hua Conghabhala, the 
 Book of Mac Partholan, the Book of Conquests, tlie Book of Cavan, 
 &c. <&:c. &c. and in the Annals of Tigernach, of Senat Mac Magnus, of 
 Inisfallen, of Boyle, of Conaght, of the four Masters, &c. &c. &c. and 
 also in the Reim Rioghraidhe, and in the Registries of several ancient 
 families, still preserved by their descendants. 
 
 That originals of most of our earliest Records should now be lost, may 
 be easily accounted for, when we consider ; 
 
 First, That, immediately after the Introduction of Christianity, most 
 of the then existing books were burned, in order to destroy the vestiges 
 of Pagan superstition contained in them. Several, however, were com- 
 pletely copied into the Psalter of Tara, and from it into the Psalters or 
 Registries of the principal churches and religious houses in Ireland. 
 
 Secondly, That the Danish and Norwegian invaders, who infested and 
 obtained a temporary power over our country in the ninth and tenth 
 centuries, committed great devastation on our ancient Records. Barba- 
 rous and ignorant themselves, they took delight in the destruction of 
 every thing connected with learning and science. 
 
 Thirdly, That ever since the invasion of the island by the Anglo Nor- 
 mans, under Henry the Second, the destruction or loss of the ancient 
 historic monuments of the country has daily increased, partly from the 
 policy of Princes ; partly from the indifference of new settlers to the 
 subjects recorded ; and partly by removal of the natives to other lands. 
 
 After the reign of James I. of England, when numbers of the Irish 
 cliiefs and clergy were deprived of their ancient inheritance, and obliged
 
 « • t 
 
 via 
 
 to fly for refuge to France, Spain, Germany, and Italy, tbcy carried 
 with them the records of their families and the archives of their churches 
 and religious houses. Hence works, in the hand-writing of their respec- 
 tive authors, are not now numerous in Ireland ; and it is rather a matter 
 of wonder, that so many vestiges of our ancient celebrity still remain, 
 than that there are not more original documents now to be found, in a 
 country which, though acknowledge<l to have been the sanctuary of 
 science, was subject to the depredations of barbarous invaders for a 
 number of centuries. 
 
 But though many of the originals of our ancient books are dispersed 
 through the libraries of other nations, we have still some amongst our- 
 selves, besides numerous authentic copies, of great antiquity, treating of 
 History, Law, Topography, Poetry, Music, Astronomy, Medicine, &c. 
 of which the most common are those on History and Medicine. 
 
 The copies of our ancient Laws now extant are not numerous, though 
 we are told by Archbishop Usher, that in his days the Irish had large 
 volumes of their Laws in their own language ; and so late as the begin- 
 ning of the last century, copies of them were common in Ireland, as we 
 are assured by Thady O'Rody, an excellent scholar, who, in the year 
 1699, shewed several volumes of those Laws to Sir Richard Cox, who 
 had entertained an opinion that our law was arbitrary, and not fixed or 
 written. However, though our Law-books are not now so numerous as 
 formerly, enough still remains to show the manners and customs not only 
 of the Irish people, but also much of those of the other Celtic nations : 
 for Ireland never came within the pale of the Roman empire, nor was she 
 ever subjugated by any of the hordes by whom that empire was over- 
 turned ; she was not even invaded by any foreign nation for several ages 
 before Christianity, nor until the ninth and tenth centuries, when, in 
 common with France, England, and other countries, she was exposed to 
 the predatory incursions of the Danes and Norwegians. But although 
 these barbarians were able to establish themselves in other countries, and 
 to make some considerable settlements on the coast of our own, their 
 power here was neither of extent nor permanency sufficient to produce any 
 material change in the manners of the people, or the laws of the country. 
 The invasion of Ireland by Henry IL of England, and the partial domi-
 
 uion exercised over the island by his successors, had scarcely any influ- 
 ence on the people, or produced any change in the laws, until the reign 
 of James I. The Irish chiefs, therefore, succeeded to their principalities, 
 and governed their tribes according to the ancient laws enacted by their 
 ancestors, in the early period of their monarchy ; and many of the Anglo- 
 Normans who had obtained settlements amougst them, adopted the laws 
 and manners of the inhabitants. Hence Ireland might furnish, what 
 perhaps no other European natiou is able to afl'ord, a complete view of 
 ancient Celtic legislation. 
 
 To ascertain the period at which each of our laws was enacted, is, 
 perhaps, at the present moment impossible : both the language and the 
 subject matter of these prove their great antiquity. Many of them were 
 undoubtedly composed before the introduction of Christianity, and others 
 immediately after, and certainly before the Danish invasion. That they 
 were intended for the government of the entire kingdom, and not con- 
 fined to particular districts, a.s is supposed by some ingenious writers, may 
 be proved from the Law-books of the different Breithimhs, or Judges, 
 still existing. Those written or preserved by the M'Clancys of Thomond, 
 the O'Breslin's of Fermanagh, the O'Doran's of Leinster, and the 
 M'Egans, who were the hereditary Judges of the O'Brien's of Ormond, 
 the O'Reilly's of Breifne, and several other tribes, are in substance the 
 same, and scarcely diff'er in any thing, except in the words of their 
 respective glosses. 
 
 Haviiig shewn the ends for which the Iberno-Celtic Society is associ- 
 ated, and the utility of laying before the Public some of the most valuable 
 of our ancient Mamiscripts, we proceed to exhibit a chronological account 
 of Irish writers, and a descriptive catalogue of their works ; which shall 
 be followed by another catalogue of works whose authors are not now 
 known, but which are of equal value and importance to tlie Celtic scho- 
 lar with those wliose writers we are able to ascertain. From these works 
 the Society, if encouraged by the Public, propose to publish a Selection 
 of Annals, Laws, Poetry, &c. in the original Language, either accom- 
 panied by literal Translations or not, as their means may in future enable 
 them to determine.
 
 X 
 
 In the following account, the Libraries in which each book, tract, or 
 poem is to be found, are pointed out ; and the Society earnestly requests 
 that any Gentleman having copies of these, or of any other pieces not 
 here mentioned, will communicate the same to the Secretary, that the 
 Celtic scholar may know where those Works may be consulted.
 
 A 
 
 OF 
 
 iti^i) mivitev^. 
 
 AND 
 
 Descriptive Catalogue of such of their Works as are still extant 
 
 IN 
 
 VERSE OR PROSE. 
 
 By EDWARD O'REILLY.
 
 Cl^ronologtcal account, 
 
 ANNO MUNDI 2935. 
 
 A.MERGIN, son of Golamh, sirnamed Mile Spainneach, (the Spanish 
 hero,) was brother to Heber, Heremon, and Ir, IVoiu whom the Milesian 
 families of Ireland are descended. He accompanied his brothers, and 
 the other Gathelian chiefs, in their emigration from Spain to Ireland, 
 and was the poet of the colony. In the Leabhar Gahhaltus, or Book of 
 Conquests, compiled in the fourteenth century, from much more ancieni 
 books, and in the book of the same name, composed by the O'CIerys^, 
 who were employed in the compilation of the annals of the tour 
 MASTERS, at the commencement of the seventeenth century, are preserved 
 three poems, said to be written by Amergin ; the first of these, consisting 
 of only two ranns, or eight verses, begins " ITi^t cojtaccct c-i7mbe," and 
 contains the decision of Amergin upon the proposal of the Tuatha-de- 
 Danan, that the Milesians should retire from the shores of Ireland ; the 
 second consists of twenty verses, beginning " "Jlliu lat n'Cueni." This is 
 a particular kind of Irish versification, called conaclon, in which the last 
 word of every verse is the same as the first word in every succeeding 
 verse. The third poem consists of six ranns, or twenty-four verses, 
 beginning " 5lim goec i rnr,^" said to have been composed by Amergin, 
 upon his landing at Inver Colpa, near Droghcda. 
 
 Amongst the Seabright collection of Irish manuscripts, in the library 
 of Trinity College, Dublin, class H. 54, folio 53, is preserved a small 
 tract on the qualifications of a Bard, beginning " Q(ocoi)te coi|t goijiicJcb 
 go^t |to)iift bid bxxm ct 6r;li!) 6emj^ii>." In the third line the author informs his 
 readers, that he is "Amergin Glungel, of hoary head and gray beard." — 
 " Oy me 7\m<Xfi-^er] glriigel, 501^1 glflf, 5;telicit."
 
 XIV 
 
 These compositions are written in the Bearla Feini, and acconipanletl' 
 with an interlined gloss, without Avhich they would be unintelliinible to 
 liiodern Irish scholars. The gloss itself requires much study to understand 
 it perfectly, as the language is obsolete, and must in many places be 
 read from bottom to top. 
 
 That these poems were really the productions of Amergin, may be 
 very reasonably doubted. Tarah, the chief residence of our ancient 
 monarchs, is particularly mentioned in the second poem ; and therefore, 
 unless we suppose this author to have possessed the spirit of prophecy, 
 as well as the inspirations of poetry, it could not have been written by 
 him ; as our ancient historians, agree that the palace of 1 arali was not 
 erected, nor the name imposed on the hill on which it was built, until 
 after the establishment of the Milesian dynasty. They are, however, of 
 the highest antiquity, and their language and peculiar versification, inr 
 dependent of any other merits they may possess, claims for them the 
 attention of the antiquary, and entitles them to preservation. 
 
 II. Cotemporary with Amergin, was Lughaidh, son of Ith,, and nephew 
 of Golamh, or Milesius. 
 
 In the books of Conquests or Invasions, already mentioned, is preserved 
 a poem, said to be composed extempore by Lughaidh, upon the death of 
 his wife Fail, the daughter of Milesius. This poem begins " Sr;6em fujib po;t 
 fan cftdcc," " Here we sat on the beach" and is given entire at the word 
 ^linbteac, in O'Reilly's Irish-English Dictionary lately published. The 
 language of this poem does not appear to be so old as those attributed 
 to Amergin, but it is undoubtedly of very great antiquity.. It is valuable^ 
 as it shows in a strong light an amiable picture of female modesty, and 
 proves how highly that virtue was estimated by the ancient Irish. 
 
 A. M. 3236; 
 
 in. OttAMH FoDiiLA, monarch and lawgiver of Ireland, established the 
 Feis of Tarah, or triennial assembly of the states of Ireland, as is asserted
 
 XV 
 
 by Ftrceirtne Jile, a famous poet, who flourished about the time of our 
 Saviour's incarnation. The laws promulgated by this prince, are quoted 
 in Cormac's Glossary, written into the ninth century ; but we are not able 
 to say where copies of them are now to be found ; perhaps some frag- 
 ments of them may still exist in the large collections of Irish laws 
 preserved in the library of Trinity College. 
 
 A. M. 3596. 
 
 v\. CiMBAETH, monarch of Ireland, wrote some laws, fragments of 
 which are to be found in ancient vellum MSS. in the library of Trinity 
 College, Dublin. Class H, 53 and 54. 
 
 A. M, 3619. 
 
 V. RoiGNE Rosgadhach (Royne the Poetic) son of Ugoine mor, Hou-- 
 rished in the time that his brother Mal was monarch of Ireland. 
 
 In the book of Invasions Ave find a poem ascribed to this author, 
 giving an account of the peregrinations of the Gathelians, and the names 
 of their chiefs, from their departure from Egypt, until their arrival in 
 Spain, and afterwards in Ireland ; with an account of the partition of 
 that country amongst the sons of Milesius. The poem begins "'51 mec 
 diT) Ugdine." " Oh praise-worthy son of Hugony,*^ and contains an 
 answer to some enquiries made by his brother Mal, upon the origin of 
 the Irish people. 
 
 If every other proof of the antiquity of this piece were wanting, the 
 language alone would be sufficient to evince its early composition. In 
 fact, it would be nearly unintelligible to Irish readers of the present day, 
 if it were not for the interlined gloss that accompanies the ie-s.t, and
 
 xvi 
 
 even the Gloss is so obsolete, that none but those who have made Irish 
 MSS. a particular study, are able to interpret it. Some laws, said to 
 be written by this prince, are still to be found in some of our old books. 
 A copy of the poem is in the collection of manuscripts in possession of 
 the Assistant Secretary to this Society. 
 
 A. M. 3900. 
 
 VI. EocHAiDH, son of Luchtna, King of Munster, flourished at this 
 time, and wrote some laws, fragments only of which are now to be 
 found. 
 
 A. M. 3902. 
 
 Til. Sean, son of Agaidh, flourished at this time. He wrote a code of 
 laws called Fonn Seanchas mor. A complete copy of a law tract bearing 
 this title is to be found in the Seabright collection of Irish MSS. in the 
 Library of Trinity College, Dublin, H. 53, pag. 13. and another in 
 H. 54. pag. 358. 
 
 A. M. 3940. 
 
 VIII. CoNGAL, son and poet to Eochaidh Feidhlioch, Monarch of 
 Ireland, flourished at this period. He wrote some laws quoted in our 
 Fenian Institutes, and a poem of thirty-four verses, beginning " Col 
 b<sk dijiij Ci^cti 511™," upon the deaths of the seven Maines, celebrated 
 in the historic tale of Tain bo Cuailgne. Copies of this poem are to be 
 found in the collections of diff'ereut Members of the Iberno-Celtic Society.
 
 xvu 
 
 One copy, written on vellum, A. D, 1430, by Adam O'Ciiinan, a lan)ous 
 scribe, is in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. M. 3950. 
 
 IX. Adhna, chief Poet of Ireland, flourished in the early part of the 
 reign of Conor Mac Nessa over the province of Ulster. Some fragments 
 of laws, said to be the joint production of him and others, are still in 
 existence in the library of Trinity College, Dublin.— He was the father 
 of Neide, who niaintaiited the celebrated contest with Ferceirtiie the 
 poet, for the Ollamh's (Professors) Chair of Ireland. 
 
 X. At the same time with Adhna, flourished Athairne, of Binn Edair, 
 (Howth) who, under the general proscription of the poets, in the reign 
 of thetnonarch Conaire the first, fled with the rest of the bards of Ireland 
 into Ulster, where they received shelter and protection from Conor Mac 
 Wessa, king of that province, and the Maecenas of Ireland. Here 
 Athairne, Forchern, Ferceirtne and Neide, compiled a code of laws, 
 which, in common with the institutes of other Reachtaires, (lawgivers,) 
 are called by the general name of Breithe Neimhidh, or laws of the 
 nobles, improperly translated by O'Flaherty, O'Connor, and others, 
 *' Celestial Judgments." 
 
 XI. At this time also flourished Forchern, the poet, who, O'Flaherty, 
 the venerable Charles O'Connor, Columbanus, and others, say wrote the 
 Uraicepht na n Eigeas, or primer of the learned. But this cannot be 
 true, unless we suppose that Forchern and Ferceirtne are the same 
 person. For in the account prefixed to the oldest copies (and indeed to 
 all the copies that we have seen) of this work, it is ascribed to Ferceirtne; 
 thus " tiboft pepcei^tcDe yun6ct. locc 60, Cnoan CPdcd ; iLmpji 60 dimyijl Conco- 
 littijt mic j^leyf a ; pejif d 60 1^e^|^cenzne pie ; azucr,b, dan, 60 b;\eic deyo pai^ 
 poft pef ," " the Book of Ferceirtne here. Its place, Emania of Macha, 
 (now Ardmagh); its time, the time of Conor, son of Nessa; it« person.
 
 XVIU 
 
 i'eiveirtne the poet ; its being done, moreover, to bring ignorant people 
 to knowledge." 
 
 xn. FERCEiRTNE^/e, (the poet,) upon the death of Adhna, the chief 
 Kard of Ireland, was appointed to the vacant professor's chair by OUioll 
 and IMeidhbhe, king and queen of Conaght. We have seen above, that 
 he was the author of the Uraicept, or Uraicecht. 
 
 lu the Seabright Manuscripts in the Library of Trinity College, class 
 H. Si. fol. 49. is preserved Ferceirtne's eulogium of Curaidh, sou of 
 Daire, or " Q[m\^a Corifioi," beginning J^h htJ6tX 6omdr)mir;n," and in the same 
 book, at folio 152, is a law tract, attributed to the same author. 
 
 In the Book of Invasions, contained in the Book of Leacan, and in 
 the Book of Invasions compiled by the O'Clerys, in possession of the 
 Assistant Secretary, is preserved a poem, consisting of thirty-two verses, 
 written by this author. It begins " OUam poblcf, peoccti/i gal," " Ollamh 
 learned, a fighter valiant," and accounts for the establishment of the 
 Feis of Tarah, the erection of the Muir Ollamhain, or College of Pro- 
 fessors, by Ollamh Fodhla, and gives th« names of six monarchs of his 
 race, who succeeded him without the intervention of a prince of any other 
 family; a thing very uncommon in those days. It also accounts for the 
 origin of the names of Munster, Leinster, Ulster, &c. There is a copy of the 
 Uraicept (or Uraicecht, as some copies have it) in the Book of Ballymote, 
 m the library of the Royal Irish Academy, written about the year 1390; 
 another in the library of Trinity College ; a third, in a large and very 
 valuable vellum book, the property of Sir William Betham; and a fourth 
 in the collection of MSS. belonging to the Assistant Secretary of this 
 Society. 
 
 XIII, Neide, the son of Adhna, though younger than Ferceirtne, 
 Forchern and Athairne, was their cotemporary. He was in Alba (Scot- 
 land) at the time of his father'* death, and hearing of that event, and 
 that Ferceirtne had been appointed to the Ollamh's chair, he determined 
 upon returning to his native country, and asserting his right to the 
 professorship. Upon his arrival in Ireland, he instantly proceeded to 
 ^mania, and, Ferceirtne being absent, seized on the luidhean or Ollamh's
 
 XIX 
 
 robe, and took possession of the chair. Ferceirtne, hearing of this inci- 
 dent, instantly returned to Emania, and meeting with Neide, a dispute 
 for the professorship was carried on between the rival bards, upon the 
 qualifications necessary for an Ollamh. This dispute is handed down to 
 us, under the title of " ?l5ciUart) an bd j-rttib," " Dialogue of the two 
 Sages." Two very ancient copies of this tract are in the Library of 
 Trinity College, and a correct transcript on paper is in the collection of 
 John Mac Namara, of Sandymount, Esq. a member of this Society, and 
 another in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 The language of this tract is the Bearla Fen'i, or Fenian dialect of the 
 Irish, and appears to be of the period to which it is ascribed. The 
 account of the work which precedes it, is mixed with fable, but it is still 
 valuable, and the publication of it would, probably, prove a fact, more 
 to the literary credit of ancient Alba, than all that the Highland Society 
 have been able to produce on the subject of the poems of Oisin, or Ossian, 
 as he is called by English writers. 
 
 A. M. 3982. 
 
 XIV. At this period flourished Lughar, the poet of Olioll and Meldhbh^ 
 king and queen of Conaught. He wrote a poem of 156 verses on the 
 descendants of Fergus, son of Roigh, beginning " Clanb pien^u{<x clam 6f 
 c^c," " The family of Fergus, a tribe superior to all." The poet informs 
 us, in the last rann but one of his poem, who he is, and for what purpose 
 he composed his verses. His words are 
 
 " If me lv^aj\ pie peig. bjiao^ (TDeibBe ly Oilill peil, 
 bo cum nd ftttinf 1 co betb, 6'prjl J?oi5 a ccftuacain Conctcc." 
 
 " I am Lughar, an acute poet, Druid of Meidhbh and generous Olioll ; 
 I made these rams correctly, for the blood of Roigh in Crochan Co- 
 nacht." 
 
 A copy of this poem is in possession of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 XX 
 
 A. D. 90. 
 
 XV. MoRAN, Chief Judge to Feradhach Fioanfachtnach, Monarch of 
 Ireland, wrote some laws which are now only known by quotations from 
 them, in the works of some more modern Avriters. His testamentary 
 precepts to his King Feradhach, are preserved in very ancient manu- 
 scripts. They begin " Qlbfiae 60 comla <x mo l>]ej\e wall gnctiij. J^1otdit> buM6 
 " ngdi^ie. 5^ ir? ^ec d/i a poUfnaijce/t pd^nc ; poj\. hej\ pj\ pliidb, bram^t) mo 
 " bpetcc no mo biiMitjitx f\e mbtfy." " Arise, proceed, my Nere of noble 
 " deeds. Observe this brief address. Short is the way in whicli the wise 
 " are directed. Bear hence these words of truth, let my dying words 
 " be perpetuated." 
 
 This tract is valuable, as it shews the opinions of the ancient Irish upon 
 the qualifications necessary for a just and good prince. The language 
 is nearly the same as that of the laws, and it may be presumed is really 
 of the period assigned to it. 
 
 A fine copy of this tract, accompanied with an interlined gloss, is in 
 the manuscript collection belonging to the Assistant Secretary of this 
 Society. 
 
 A. D. 95. 
 
 XVI. Feradach jionfachtnach, Monarch of Ireland, promulgated those 
 laws which obtained for him the glorious title Fionfachtnach, i. e. Fair 
 and Just. 
 
 A. D. 177. 
 
 XVII. MoDAN, son of Tulban, lived in the reign of Conn of the Hun- 
 dred Battles. He wrote a book for the unlearned, called CpeiU hfieia, or 
 Just decision.
 
 XXI 
 
 XVIII. Cotemporaiv witli Modaii was Ciothkuadh the poet. He was 
 the messenger sent by Conn of the Hundred Battles to Mac Neid, with 
 proposals for peace, and upon this occasion composed his poem beginning 
 " Ql rneic 6ec(r)c(i6 fit j\e CDdc Nei6," " My son, make peace with Mac 
 Neid." This poem is given in the Leabhar Muimhneach, or Minister 
 Book, a copy of which is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 180. 
 
 XIX. FiNGiN, sou of Luchta, lived in the time that Conn of the Hundred 
 Battles governed Ireland. He wrote a poem, beginning " Ouait) C-rjub ^115 
 jtoi6 fio gdibe," upon the five famous roads, said to be made to Tarah, on 
 the night of Conn's birth. This poem is given in the Dinn Seanchas, in 
 the book of Leacan, foljo 239, column 3, as authority for the origin of 
 the name of Slighe Dala, or Dala's way. 
 
 A. D. 200. 
 
 XX. Olioll Olum, king of Munster, was son-in-law of Conn of the 
 Hundred Battles. He died, according to the " Four Masters," in the 
 year 234. But the annals of Inisfallen represent him as living in the 
 year 254. O'Flaherty differs from both these authorities, and says he 
 died A. D. 237. It is said he was the author of some poems, and par- 
 ticularly one beginning " 7i mctcdifl nd net ci cid -fo," is ascribed to him. It 
 is athlressed to his grandson Fiach, whose faiher and fi\e other sons of 
 Olioll M'cre killed at the battle of Mucruimhe, A. D. 195. But although 
 ihis composition is certainly ancient, there are some allusions in it that 
 would lead one to think it was not the work of a Pagan author. The 
 poem beginning " Oei|\ mo ycidr," is also attributed to this prince.
 
 XXll 
 
 xxj. About the same period in which Olioll lived, flourished Fachtna, 
 son of Sencha, a compiler of laws, sometimes referred to by later writers 
 upon that subject. 
 
 A. D. 250. 
 
 XXII. CouMAC, son of Art, monarch of Ireland, lived at this period. 
 He caused the Psalter of Tarah to be compiled, as the depository of the 
 records of the nation. This was long considered as lost, but is now said, 
 perhaps not truly, to be extant in the British Museum. He Avrote some 
 laws, an imperfect copy of which is to be found in the Seabright collec- 
 tion in the library of Trinity College. One tract, beginning " Ciy li^i poglci 
 ecgib," treats of the privileges and punishments of different ranks of per- 
 sons, and draws a line of distinction between undesigned injuries, such 
 as those suffered by unavoidable accident, and those happening by neg- 
 lect. The commentator on this law, makes some observations on the 
 number four, and assigns reasons why that number should be preferred 
 to others. Cormac also wrote instructions for his son Cairbre Lifleachar, 
 who succeeded him on the throne of Ireland. Tliese instructions are 
 called Cecigctyg ^iogbd, or royal jjrecepts. A copy of the precepts of 
 Cormac is preserved in the book of Leacan, another in an ancient and 
 very valuable vellum M.S. the property of Sir William Betham, another 
 copy or two may be fouiul in the library of Trinity College, and others 
 in the collections of diU'erent members of the Iberno-Celtic Society. 
 The copy belonging to the Assistant Secretary begins " <( rd Cr^vib, <t 
 Coftbmcdc, ol Cctiftt);te, ci6 If 6eclc 60 /?i ? f>«1in. Ol Cojimac. ^f bet 60 ccinmne cm 
 be'oaib ; pof bdb cm pe^tg ; ■fo-a.galhna cen moj\bacz ; 6eici6e yencuy c( ; p/ticpolct 
 p]iiX; f\]\ coDfT^lhobh; cnoccti|te cctnblucaigeb; -fyt botuaizd^h; jidtil ecyamlri; 
 bjieia piftcC ; geill ingUyaid ; ylogdib p^tia dsecbcfie ; C;iOy-cat) ;:Oft co'.gCfiiooaib ; 
 nojxd'o gac neime ; aipmi6e pile ; ctb/tdb be m^," 7c. "• O (ioscendant of Conn ! 
 O Cormac, said Cairbre, what is good for a king? That is plain, said 
 Cormac. It is good for him to have patience without debate; firmness 
 without anger 5 easy address without haughtiness; attention to the pre-
 
 xxm 
 
 cepts of the elders, (laws); just covenants and agreements to strictly 
 observe; mercy in the execution of the laws ; peace with his districts; 
 boundless in rewards; just in decisions; observant of his promises; hosting 
 with justice; protecting his boundaries ; honoring each noble; respecting 
 the poets ; adoring the great God," &c. This tract, occupying six folio 
 pages, closely written, is carried on by way of dialogue between Cairbre 
 and Cormac, in which the former asks the opinion of the latter upon 
 different subjects, relative to government and general conduct, and 
 Cormac, in his replies, gives precepts that would do honor to a Christian 
 divine. 
 
 It may not, perhaps, be improper to observe that Cormac was the 
 father-in-law of the famous Fionn Mac Cubhail, General of the Fiarina 
 Eirionn, and father of Oisin the poet; and, consequently, if the genuine 
 poems of Oisin were extant, their language would be the same as that of 
 Cormac's works, which are nearly unintelligible to the generality of Irish 
 readers, and completely so to the vulgar. The language of those poems 
 which the Highland Society have given to the world as the originals of 
 Oisin, is the living language of the Highlanders of the present day, and 
 if properly spelled and read by an Irish scholar, would be intelligible to 
 the most illiterate peasant in Ireland. A comparison of the languages of 
 Cormac and the Scotch Oisin, might probably go far towards ascertaining 
 the period in which the Highland Bard was born. 
 
 XXIII. FiTHiL, Chief Judge to Cormac, wrote some laws, fragments of 
 which are to be found in the old vellum MSS. in the library of Trinity 
 College. 
 
 A. D. 2t0. 
 
 XXIV. FERGvsJinbef, son of Fionn Mac Cubhail, and brother of Oisin, 
 flourished at this period ; he wrote a poem, beginning " Cibfici ^'eiigci^miKt 
 fo-fn<Xf,'" which is given in full in the Dinn Senchas, as authority for tiie 
 account there given of the origiu of the name of the fountain of »Se/?^a//«wfl. 
 See Divn Seanchas under the year 550, preserved in the book of Leacan.
 
 XXIV 
 
 and in a valuable TcUunj manuscript in the library of Sir William Betham, 
 and in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 280. 
 
 XXV. Flaithki, son of Fithil, wrote a poem, beginning "CO\<ir) Cofibmciic. 
 ciige Uedimjitx" " The desire of Cormac, of the house of Tarah," upon the 
 qualifications required by Cormac in different persons and things. Copies 
 of tliis poem are common ; a very ancient copy is in the collection of the 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 283. 
 
 XXVI. FioNN Mac Cubhail was killed this year, at Ath Breagh on the 
 Boyne, not far from Tarah. He is said to have assisted in the formation 
 of some laws, in the time of Cormac Mac Art, There are some prophecies 
 ascribed to him, which are undoubtedly the forgeries of some Christian 
 writer. 
 
 In the Dinu Seanchas contained in the book of Leacan, folio 231, coL 
 4, is given, as authority for the name of Dun Fornocht, a poem, attributed 
 to Fionn. This poem consists of twenty-eight verses, beginning " Co^t- 
 nocc 60 bur, a 0;ti7m bear)" " Fornocht to the fort of Druim Dean." 
 
 A. D. 284. 
 
 xxvij. OisiN, the son of Fionn Mac Cubhail, so much celebrated t'oi 
 his poetic genius, survived the battle of Gabhra Aichle wg-av Tarah, fouylit 
 this year, in which his son Oscar and the principal part of the Fenian 
 heroes lost their lives. Many beautiful poems are extant that bear the
 
 XXV 
 
 name of Oisin, but there are no good reasons to suppose that they are the 
 genuine compositions of that bard. If ever they were composed by Oisin, 
 they have since suffered a wonderful change in their language, and have 
 been interpolated, so as to make the poet and Saint Patrick cotemporaries, 
 thouo-h the latter did not commence his apostolic labours in Ireland until 
 the middle of the fifth century, when, by the course of nature, Oisin 
 must have lain in his grave about one hundred and fifty years. There is a 
 prophecy attributed to Oisin, preserved in an ancient vellum MS. the 
 property of William Monck Mason, Esq. a member of this Society ; but 
 the first line of the poem being addressed to Oisin himself, shows it to be 
 a forgery. The poem begins " 31 Oijriij, cw/icii6 j\in," " O Oisin, melodious 
 poet." 
 
 A. D. 405. 
 
 XXVIII. ToRNA Eigeas (the learned) poet and instructor to our mo- 
 narch Niall of the nine Hostages, flourished at this time. There are 
 four poems, said to be the productions of this author, handed down to us. 
 The first begins " gctB mo tgsccyg tt f>le]ll »diit," " Receive my precepts, 
 noble Niall." — The second, " bctil cattt iccift Cofic ly J^liuU :" " The meeting 
 of battle between Core and Niall." — The third, " CDo bft boXzhn nf/tyctib 
 liT^n," " My two foster-children were not indolent." In the first poem 
 Torna gives instructions to his ward Niall ; in the second, he appears as a 
 mediator between Niall and Core, king of Cashel, who is also represented 
 as a ward of Torna's, and Avho had quarrelled with his foster-brother;, 
 and in the third the poet describes his manner of living alternately 
 between these illustrious personages, and laments that he has survived 
 them. 
 
 That these Poems were the productions of Torna Eigeas, there are 
 some strong reasons to doubt. O'Flaherty, in Ogygia, gives presumptive 
 proofs that they were not ; and unless we admit that Christianity had' 
 made a great progress in Ireland before the mission of Saint Patrick, 
 and that Torna was a Christian, as Colgan asserts, the poems carry
 
 XXVI 
 
 internal evidence that they were not written by him. Some Irish 
 antiquaries are of opinion that they were written by Torna O'Maol- 
 conaire, who lived several ages after Torna Eigeas. Be this as it may, 
 the poems deserve preservation, as they give some interesting notices of 
 the ancient History of Ireland, and were the cause of the literary contest 
 carried on between the Bards of Leath Chuinn and Leath Mhogha (Conn's 
 half and Mogha's half, or the north and south divisions of Ireland), for 
 the honour and precedence of their respective Chiefs, in the reign of 
 James the First of England. 
 
 The fourth poem ascribed to Torna, is upon the burial place of the 
 pagan kings of Ireland, at Relig na Riogh, near Cruachan, in county 
 Roscommon. It consists of twenty-eight verses, beginning " ^Iza fUz-fH. 
 J^^^ pio^ jTdil," " There is under thee a king of beauteous Fail." 
 
 A copy of this poem is to be found in the Book of Leacan ; another 
 copy is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary ; and another given 
 in the History of Ireland, by Doctor Keating. 
 
 XXIX. At this period also flourished the Son of Torna Eigeas. A 
 small poem by this author is preserved in the Book of Invasions of the 
 O'Clery's. It begins « 7h cccn 60 te^^m^f 6ot) 6c(il," " When we went to 
 the conflict," and is the lamentation of the poet for the death of his king, 
 and foster-brother, Niall, who fell on the Banks of the Loire, in 
 Armorica, A. D. 406. 
 
 A. D. 433. 
 
 XXX. DuBHTHACH Mac ui Luglialr, was the Poet and Druid of Laog- 
 haire, monarch of Ireland, at the commencement of Saint Patrick's 
 mission, and was converted to Christianity by that Apostle. He was one 
 of the famous Committee of Nine, who were appointed to revise the 
 ancient Records of the Nation, and from them compiled that body of 
 Records afterwards called the Seanchas mor. After liis conversion, he 
 applied his poetic talents to the praise of his Maker and Redeemer, and
 
 XXVll 
 
 an elegant hymn of his on that subject is preserved in the Fdire Aeuguls, 
 or Account of the Festivals of the Church, written by Angus Ceile-De, 
 in the latter end of the eighth century ; a copy of which work is inserted 
 in the Leahhar Breac, or speckled Book of the Mac Egan's, in the 
 Library of the Royal Irish Academy, and another more ancient copy is 
 in the collection of the Assistant Secretary to this Society. 
 
 In the year 1797, the late General Vallancey published a paper, 
 addressed to the President and Members of the Royal Irish Academy, 
 in vindication of the ancient History of Ireland, in which he introduces 
 what he calls a translation of the hymn above mentioned. But the 
 learned General fell into a great error in supposing the contraction Cr. 
 in the original, to mean Creas, the Sun, and he therefore denominates this 
 hymn, " A hymn to Creas, or the Sun." A knowledge of the original, 
 and a little attention to its general contents, would be sufficient to 
 convince that the hymn was addressed, not to the Sun, but to the Almighty 
 God, who created the Sun and all that exists. 
 
 The Hymn begins " Ser) d Cjtiyc mo \<xh^a, 
 
 " Ql combiu j-ecc mme! 
 " r?o mbenc mbrctib le^ii, 
 *' Ql jti g/teine 5ile!" 
 
 Literally — — " Bless, O Christ, my words, 
 
 " Thou Godhead of the seven Heavens ! 
 " Who gavest the gift of Religion, 
 " O King of the resplendent Sun !" 
 
 The word Combiu, or Coifnbe, as it would be written in modern Irish, 
 which I translate the Godhead, strictly means the joint God, or the 
 united persons of the Blessed Trinity, and is, and always was, used in 
 that sense, and in no other. This, and the mention of the seven Heavens, 
 is sufficient to show that the author was a Christian, and who, therefore, 
 would not deify a creature. 
 
 In the leaBdft nd ccertftc, or Book of Rights, is preserved a very old 
 poem ascribed to Dubhthach. It begins, " J^li 6I15 cu^c no cenbaigect:, 
 ± in P1I15 pifteoldc," " There is no right of visitation or headship (supe- 
 
 f
 
 XXVUl 
 
 riority) over the truly learned Poet." This poem is on the privileo;es 
 of the Bardic Order. There is also preserved in the same Book another 
 poem, of three hundred and ninety-two verses, ascribed to Dubhthach, 
 beginning *^ Zem^ cec dmbi mctc Cijnb:" " Tar ah, house in which dwell 
 the descendants of Conn." — This poem is on the privileges of Tarah, the 
 rights and revenues of the Irish monarchs, and the subsidies paid bj 
 them to the provincial princes and heads of tribes. Some doubts may 
 be reasonably entertained that this latter poem is the production of 
 Dubhthach. 
 
 A. D. 468. 
 
 XXXI. Saint Beinfn died on the ninth of November, in this year. He 
 was the son of Sescnen, a man of great power in Meath, who entertained 
 St. Patrick on his way to Tarah, and was, with all his family, converted 
 by him. Benin received Holy orders from the hands of our apostle, 
 and was also consecrated a bishop by him. In the year 455, St. Patrick 
 placed Benin in the Archiepiscopal Chair of Armagh, which See he 
 governed for ten years ; but in 465 he resigned his bishoprick, and lived 
 in retirement for three years, when he died A. D. 468. 
 
 The Leabhar na Cceart, or Book of Rights, is said to be written by 
 St. Benin, but of this some doubts may be reasonably entertained. Its 
 language, and some internal evidences in the composition, show it to be 
 at least enlarged and altered in a period nearer to our own times. It is, 
 however, a very ancient composition, and throws great light on the early 
 history of our country. It gives an account of the revenues and rights 
 of the monarchs of Ireland, payable by the provincial kings, and by 
 the chiefs of inferior districts ; the subsidies paid by the monarchs to the 
 provincial kings and inferior chiefs for their services ; and also an 
 account of the revenues of each of the provincial kings, payable to 
 them from the chiefs of districts, or tribes, in their respective provinces, 
 and the subsidies paid by the provincial kings to those petty dynasts. —
 
 XXIX 
 
 These accounts are first delivered in prose, and the same are afterwards 
 recorded in verse- 
 Ancient copies of this book, on vellum, are in the libraries of Trinity 
 College and the Royal Irish Academy; and in the collections of Sir 
 William Bethara, and the Assistant Secretary of this Society. 
 
 The title prefixed to this work, runs thus: " Incipic 6o leb<i net cced^ii:, 
 " iTieo^ny- 60 ciycti^ & 60 tu^tiy-bctldiB Cftenb, ttmdil 60 ojibaij Oenen mdc 
 Se-COier) yailmce6lc(c pdccfulicc, m^ c(6 pezz. leBdjt glinie bd locd." " The 
 " beginning of the Book of Rights, which relates to the revenues and 
 " the subsidies of Ireland, as ordered by Benin, son of Sescnen, psalmist 
 " of Patrick, as is related in the Book of Glendaloch." — The work 
 itself begins with " bo aligedaclib a^z cdiyil, acaf 6ic( effiliB, tictt-{ 6icc 
 *' c&mth, \r)b aca-f a-ff, <tii6 fo yiy, dcdy 60 tT^cx^bttlcnb ]ii fOufndn acnf 
 " jliste he;ien6 ^ ceaw o yiig Caiyil ir) cc(o ba pctUnd plditiy i?)6," " Of 
 " the just (lawful) rights of Cashel, and of its revenues and dues, in 
 " and out, here follow ; and of the subsidies of the kings of Munster, 
 " and of the kings of Ireland from the king of Cashel, when he has 
 *' the government of the kingdom." Then follows, in prose, a list of 
 the articles paid by the king of Cashel as subsidies to other princes, and 
 of his rights of entertainment, &c. from them ; this is followed by the 
 same account, in a poem of 88 verses, beginning " C)ligect» cde 7115 o jn 
 " Cdiyil," " The dues of each king from the king of Cashel. "^ Then is 
 given an account, in verse and prose, of the revenues of the king of 
 Cashel, from the princes of Muscrey, Uaithne, Ara, Corcoluidheacb, 
 Corcoduibne, Ciarruidhe-Luachra, Corcobaiscin, and Borrin. The poem 
 of this part is of 52 verses, and begins " Ce;ic Cdvyil ce» Cfi<i6," " The 
 " rights of Cashel without vexation." By this account it appears that 
 the king of Cashel received annually from the above districts 2,300 oxen; 
 five thousand five hundted cows ; four thousand four hundred swine ; 
 one hundred vessels of strong drink; one thousand rams; two hundred 
 wethers ; and one hundred garments. A further account of the rights, 
 &c. of the king of Cashel is then given, which says, that w hen he was not 
 monarch of all Ireland, that division of it called Leath Mogha was under 
 his controul, and contributed to his revenues. The tributes paid by the 
 king of Leinster and the remainder of the states of Munster to the king of
 
 XXX 
 
 Cashel, are then recited in prose, and supported by four poems. Tlie 
 first begins, " Oenen heMdcz pOft ^n gen," " Benin, blessing on the birth." 
 2d. " Ciy Cdi^il ar\ cudlabcijt," " The rents of Cashell liave you heard." 
 3d. " Ql eolai5 COumn moij^i," " O ye learned of great Munster." 4th. " 5lc<t 
 " ■fur)b yencuf f r^c ^/tedi," " Here is the history of unoppressive tax- 
 " ation." Then follows an account of the royal mansions of Cashel, 
 supported by a poem of 44 verses, beginning " Qijxo. fe<x>(ab^ Jigoift." 
 
 After Cashel follows an account of the rights, revenues, and privileges 
 of the king of Conaught, and the subsidies paid by him to the petty 
 chiefs of his province. This part begins, " Ciy-ct <JCdy cud^cc^bdil Co»)- 
 " bacz, .1. moft ciy Cortbc.cz iccft bidtdS dcay coimibeacc Cebo.mU'f co c^iua- 
 c^n j" " The revenues and subsidies of Conaght, i. e. the great rents of 
 " Conaght, both food (or entertainment) and attendance. First to Cru- 
 " achan." An account is then given of the rights and privileges of tlie 
 Conaght kings. The poem begins " ^^fci^ j\e -feMcaf ncic y-T-ciiU," 
 " Hear ye a story not contemptible." This is followed by an account of 
 the subsidies paid by the king of Conaght to the subordinate chiefs of 
 his province. The poem here begins, " Cuctpciyccil cr^ob ConftcCcc," 
 " The wages of the province of Conaght." 
 
 In this province, as in that of Munster, there were some tribes free 
 from regal taxation, and who had other extraordinary privileges, above 
 the other clanns of the province. In Conaght these were the Ibh 
 Briuin ; the Siol Muireadhaigh ; the Ibh Fiachra ; aad the Cenel 
 Aodha. 
 
 The account of Conaght is succeeded by that of A'digh (Oileach, the 
 residence of the northern Ibh Neill) or Ulster. The rights and dues 
 of the king of Ailigh is first given, the poem of which contains fifty-six 
 verses, and begins " Ccftc jii ciili^ ecyi6 ;" " The right of the king of 
 Ailigh hear ye." Then follows the subsidies paid by that prince to his 
 inferior chieftains ; and also the subsidies received by him from the 
 monarch of Ireland, whenever the king of Ailigh was not monarch 
 himself. The metrical account of this consists of eighty verses, begin- 
 ning, " "SI piji 6<( flbgcrt-f po crdib j" " Oh man, if thou goest north- 
 " ward."
 
 XXXI 
 
 The rights and privileges of Oirgialla follow next in order. The 
 verses are sixty-four in number, beginning " ei^-cig cm cW,r)ehl," " Listen 
 to the tribute you have heard." The subsidies received by the prince of 
 Oirgialla, from the monarch of Ireland, and also the subsidies paid by 
 him to his chiefs, are then set forth. The poem here consists of eighty 
 verses, begins " In ceij-c f ea po cloinb CoUd," " This inquiry on the de- 
 scendants of CoUa." 
 
 Next follows an account of the subsidies received by the king of Uladk, 
 (Down, Armagh, &c. at present) from the monarch of Ireland, when he 
 was not monarch himself, and also the subsidies paid by him to his chiefs 
 of districts. The verses here are eighty, and begin " Qiza fun6 f oc^ Ula6," 
 " Here are the emoluments of Uladh." This is followed by an account of 
 the provisions and revenues of Uladh. The verses are forty-four in 
 number, of an uncommon measure, beginning " blijid ftig Cmm dcdy 
 Uldb ," " Dues of the king of Emania and Uladh." 
 
 The rights of the king of Tarah are next set down, and the subsidies 
 paid by him to the subordinate chiefs of Meath. This section informs 
 us, that, when the king of Tarah was not monarch of Ireland, he received 
 as a subsidy from the monarch, one hundred swords, one hundred shields, 
 one hundred horses, one hundred coloured garments, and one hundred suits 
 of armour. The poem belonging to this ])art, consists of fifty-six verses, 
 beginning " bliji^ ;ti Uetxinjid ctj|iim," " The rights of Tarah's king I here 
 rehearse." This is followed by an account of the revenues of the kings of 
 Meath. The metrical account is in fifty-two verses, beginning '• Ciy cudic 
 CO161 mojt ifl -fcel ;" " Tax of the district of Meath, great the report." 
 
 Then follows the will of Cathaoir mor, king of Leinster, and monarch 
 of Ireland, A. D. 122, by which his kingdom and his property are divided 
 among his sons. This is followed by a poem of eighty verses, attributed 
 to Benen, showing the subsidies the king of Leinster was to receive 
 from the monarch of Ireland, when he did not fill that high office 
 himself. It also gives an account of the subsidies paid by the king of 
 Leinster to the subordinate chiefs of his province. The poem begins 
 " Cejit; ftig Ldijen j^o ludd Oener)," " The rights of the king of Leinster, 
 Benen relates." This poem alone is sufficient to prove what I have said 
 in the beginning, that this work, in its present form, is not the work of 
 Benen.
 
 xxxu 
 
 The next article is an account of the contributions to which each of the 
 district chiefs of Leinster was subject, for support of the king of that 
 province. The metrical account here consists of sixty-eight verses, be- 
 ginning " Coij-cib, tt Iciigfliu 7)<i laoc," " Listen, oh Leinster of heroes." 
 
 This is succeeded by a poem of seventy-two verses, giving an account 
 of the Galls of Dublin, at the coming of Saint Patrick!!! The poem 
 begins " 2lt;c( yu)i6 fencdf yu^c fejjg," " Here is a pleasant agreeable 
 history." 
 
 The privileges of the poets and their rewards are then recited ; the 
 prose account is supported by a poetical account, ascribed to Dubhthach 
 mac ui Lughair, beginning " w 6I15 cu^c tig cenbaijecc:, iXj\ in pilig pift eolac," 
 " There is no visitation nor superiority over the truly learned poet." 
 
 The Book of Rights closes with an account of the rights of the king of 
 Tarah, and of the privileges and subsidies that all the princes of Ireland 
 had a right to receive from him when he was monarch of Ireland. This 
 account is in a poem of three hundred and ninety-two verses, ascribed to 
 Dubhthach mac ui Lughair, beginning "Ceafn^ zee a. mSi mic Cui»6," " Tarah 
 house, in which are the descendants of Conn." — See Dubhthach mac ui 
 Lughair, under A. D. 433. 
 
 A. D. 499. 
 
 xxxn. Saint Cailin, first bishop of Down, wrote some prophecies in 
 Irish verse, but we cannot be sure that those now extant ascribed to him 
 are genuine. That beginning " Ci/te, oil oilen," " Eire, noble island," 
 said to be written by this author, gives, by way of prophecy, a catalogue 
 of Irish kings, and counts two hundred and twenty-seven years from the 
 battle of Clontarf. It may therefore be presumed that it was not written 
 before the middle of the thirteenth century.
 
 xxxiii 
 
 A. D. 500. 
 
 XXXIII. Saint Fiech, the first bishop of Sletty, was a disciple of Saint 
 Patrick, and flourished for some years after the death of his master. He 
 wrote a hymn in Irish, consisting of one hundred and thirty-six verses, in 
 praise of our apostle, in which he recites his parentage, and shows that 
 the place of his nativity was Tours, in France. It begins " 5en|pcicc;itiicc 
 1 oem CtjjI," " Patrick was born in holy Tours." A very ancient copy of 
 this poem, finely written on vellum, is in the library of Trinity Colieo-e. 
 It has been printed different times; first in Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum,^' 
 with a Latin translation ; next in the first edition of Vallancey's Irish 
 Grammar, with a faulty English translation; again in the year 1792, 
 by a Mr. Richard Plunkett, a neglected genius of the county of Meath, 
 who, in pages opposite to the original text, gave a version into modern 
 Irish ; and lastly, by the late Mr. Patrick Lynch, in his " Life of Saint 
 Patrick," with a correct English translation. 
 
 xxxiv. Cotemporary with Saint Fiech was Saint Cianan, first Bishop 
 of Duleek, in Meath. He wrote a life of Saint Patrick, in Irish; but 
 those lives of our Apostle, which we have seen ascribed to St. Cianan, 
 ■were certainly written at a much later period. 
 
 A. D. 523 or 525. 
 
 XXXV. On the first of February, in either of these years, died Saint 
 Bridget, Patroness and first Abbess of Kildare. She wrote a Rule for 
 her Nuns in her native language, which is said to be extant, but we are 
 not able to point out where it can be found. 
 
 A. D. 526. 
 
 xxxvi. Holy Brogan died in this year. He wrote a hymn in praise 
 of Saint Bridget, which Colgan published, with a Latin translation, in
 
 xxxir 
 
 in bis Life of that virgin. It was again published in 1792, with a version 
 in modern Irish, by Mr. Richard Plunkett, of the county of Meath, 
 already mentioned. 
 
 Manuscript copies of this poem are in the library of Trinity College. 
 It begins " f^li c^ Ofiiccic bucjoctc i»ic," " Bridget glorious, loved not the 
 world." 
 
 According to O'Flaherty, Brogan wrote the poem beginning ,"'21 C015106 
 cttin c^p^ie CftrdiS ;" but, for an account of this poem, see Giolla na 
 naomh O'Dunn, «nder the year 1160, 
 
 A. D. 527, according to Tigernach, but 541 according to the 
 
 Four Masters. 
 
 xxxvii. In either of the above years died Saint Ailbe, first Bishop of 
 Emly. He wrote a Rule for Monks, in Irish verse, ancient copies of 
 which are in possession of different members of the Society, and the 
 language is a strong proof that the work is genuine. It begins " Qlppctiji 
 b<xm ;:;ti mdc Sd^idin, iy zj\om ttn t;ai;ii guiBej- ; bab le^i, hab peig a. cuBdiy, cm 
 gcd jiimE^ on peile," " Say from me to the son of Sarain, weighty is the 
 charge he takes; be his conscience clear, without falsehood, without 
 pride, without fraud." 
 
 A. D. 533. 
 
 XXXVIII. Holy Cairneach was a priest, and cotemporary with Muir- 
 certaffh mac Earc, monarch of Ireland, who died A. D. 533, and whose 
 death Cairneach foretold, as is asserted. Some poems, and prophecies 
 in metre, attributed to him, are given in the " Oit)ec(t) Oi)r',]\ce<{z<x\^ fneic 
 €clf<ca," or " Death of Murhertagh, son of Earc,^' a very ancient his- 
 torical tale, in prose and verse, in possession of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 XXXV 
 
 He is quoted in the Book of Invasions, by the O'Clery's, pao-e 182, in 
 possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 540. 
 
 XXXIX. About this time died Saint Iarlath, first Bishop of Tuam. 
 Some prophecies, in Irish verse, ascribed to him, are extant, a copy of 
 which is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary to this Society ; 
 but some reasonable doubts may be entertained of their genuineness. 
 
 A. D. 544. 
 
 XL. On the I2th of October, in this year, died Saint Beauchan, of 
 Glasnaidhin, on the North Bank of the River Liffey. In the Felire 
 Aonguis, or Festivals of the Church, written by Angus Ce'de De, at the 
 latter end of the eighth century, under the festival of Saint Bridget, on 
 the first of February, a small poem of Berchan's, in praise of that Saint, 
 is given. It begins " In bctn <t lipe net lei/ig," " The woman, O Liffey of 
 plains." There are some Irish prophecies ascribed to him, which others, 
 with more propriety perhaps, attribute to St. Braccan. 
 
 See under Bracan, at A. D. 650. 
 
 A. D. 549. 
 
 XLT. St. CiARAN, of Cluain-mac-Nois, died on the 9th of September 
 this year. He wrote a Rule for Monks, in Irish metre, said to be 
 amongst the MSS. of Trinity College library ; but in the present im- 
 
 g
 
 XXXVl 
 
 perfect state of the catalogue of MSS, in that library, we have not 
 been able to discover it. 
 
 A. D. 560. 
 
 xLii. At this time died Beg mac De. Some prophecies attributed to- 
 him are. still extant. In a very ancient vellum MS. in the collection of 
 William Monck Mason, Esq. is to be found one of those prophecies, begin- 
 ning " f^h bic( Cjtaba tt cceUcCiii,"' " There will be no devotion in churches;" 
 and a copy of the same prophecy, and another, beginning " Olc bic ^ 
 uptct," " Evil the practice of sorcery," are to be found in an ancient 
 MS. in possession of the Assistant Secretary. In an ancient and very 
 valuable Telluni MS. the property of Sir William Bethani, is to be found 
 a poem of two hundred and eighty-eight verses, ascribed to Beg mac De, 
 beginning " Cjieibe vac fTjln^ednb fiij ;ieil," ••' Three things a lawful king 
 suffers not." In this Poem the author foretels the evils and destruction 
 that Avere to fall upon several places and things in Ireland. This writer 
 was descended from Cormac Cas, through Conall Eachluaith (of the sivij't 
 horses) king of Munster, A. D. 366. 
 
 Tigernach, the Annalist, who died in A. D. 1088, mentions the death 
 
 of Beg mac De, under the year 551, in these words, " ud-f Oecc mac be 
 
 an pens," " The death of Beg mac Do the Prophet." 
 
 The " Four Masters" say his death happened in the year 557, and 
 
 relate that event in these words, " S. Oecc mac be, paib oijxtiedjxc 6ecc," 
 
 " St. Beg mac De, a noble Prophet, died." 
 
 xLiii. Cotemporary with the last-mentioned writer was Amergin Mac 
 Amalgaid, chief poet to the monarch Deraiod, son of Fergus Ceirhheoil., 
 who ascended the throne of Ireland, A. D. 544, and after a reign of 
 twenty-one years, died in A. D. 565. This poet was the original author 
 of the Dinn Seanchas, or History of noted places in Ireland ; a work 
 which lias been enlarged by other writers who lived some ages after the 
 time of Amergin. Indeed some of it must have been written after
 
 xxxvu 
 
 the year 1024, in which year Cuaii O'Lochain was killed; for some 
 poems of that writer are given in full in this work, and extracts from 
 some others. 
 
 The work accounts for the origin of the names of several mountains, 
 hills, raths, plains, glenns, rivers, &c, in Ireland ; and, although much 
 blended with fable, is extremely curious, and may be considered valuable, 
 for some authentic anecdotes contained in it, of several of the most re- 
 markable characters in ancient Irish history. The account of each 
 mountain, plain, river, &c. is Hrst given in prose, and supported by 
 poems, or extracts from poems of some of our early writers, as Finin mac 
 Luchna, a poet of the second century; Fionn mac Cubhail ; Fergus 
 Fiiinbel, younger brother of Oisin, who lived in the third century ; and 
 some others. 
 
 This Amergin must not be confounded with an other Amergin mac 
 Amalgaidh, who flourished in the latter end of the seventh century, and 
 wrote some law tracts still extant, a copy of which is to be found in the 
 Seabright MSS. in the library of Trinity College. 
 
 A very fine copy of the Dinn Seanchas is preserved in a vellum MS. 
 the property of Sir William Betham. There is an imperfect copy in the 
 Book of Leacan, and another in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 516. 
 
 xLiv. Saint Breandan, or Breannan, first bishop of Cluainfert, died 
 on Sunday, the 16th of May, in this^year, according to the annals of the 
 Four Masters, or in 577, according to the annals of Inisfallen. He wrote 
 a Rule for Monks, and some prophecies in Irish verse, and some other 
 poems. Two copies of verses by this author, are in the collection of the 
 Assistant Secretary, one of which begins " In 6c( 'iie6 mo 6d cdjictid," " The 
 two Aodhs, my two friends," upon the meeting of Aodh caomh (mild) 
 son of Conall, son of Eochaidh Ball-dearg, a descendant of Cormac 
 Cas, who was the first Christian king of Cashel, and ancestor of the
 
 XXXVlll 
 
 Marquis of Tliomond, one of the Vice Presidents of this Society, and 
 Aodh duhh, (black) son of Criomhthan, monarch of Ireland, and father 
 of Finghin and Failbhe Flann, of the tribe of Eogan more, afterwards 
 kings of Desmond. This meeting took place between these princes at 
 Cam an Righ, (the }ilng*s heap} on Magh Feimhin, (the plain of Feim- 
 hin) between Cashel and Clonmel ; and the cause of their meeting was 
 to agree upon the right of succession to the sovereignty of Cashel, ac- 
 cording to the will of their great ancestor Olioll Olum, king of Munster. 
 Aodh caonih was then the representative of the Dalcassian race, and by 
 the rule of alternate succession, directed by the will of Olioll between the 
 descendants of his two sons, Cormac Casand Eogan more, had a right to 
 the throne of Cashel, but Aodh dubh, the representative of the Euge- 
 nian tribe, disputed this right, and would not consent that Aodh caonih 
 should be invested with the regal power, until his own succession would 
 be secured to him, if he should survive the present claimant. This was 
 agreed to on both sides, and St. Breandan and his disciple Mac Leinin 
 the poet, afterwards called Colman, and first bi.shopof Cloyne, were given 
 to Aodh dubh as hostages for the performance. The second poem begins 
 " Oearjdec m cofnfee cumacciiij," " Blessings of the powerful tiod," and is 
 the benediction given by Breannan to Aodh caomh and his descendants. 
 These poems, and others of Breannan's composition, were preserved in 
 the Psalter of Cashel, and the book of Munster in the book of Ballimote. 
 
 A. D. 592. 
 
 XLV. Saint Coldmb Cille, or Columb of Cells, or churches, died on Whit- 
 Sunday night, the 9th of June, in this year, according to the annals of the 
 Four Masters. He wrote several pieces both in Irish and Latin. Upwards 
 of thirty poems in the Irish language, ascribed to him, have come down to 
 our times, copies of which are in possession of the Assistant Secretary, a 
 particular description of which we at present avoid. The subjects are 
 miscellaneous, but the chief part are religious. The prophecies ascribed 
 to this Saint, if ever they were written by him, have been interpolated 
 and corrupted by modern writers.
 
 xxxuc 
 
 A. D. 596. 
 
 xLvi. About this period flourished Eochaidii Elgeas, (the wise) or 
 EocHAiDH Dalian, or Dali-an Forgaill, by which latter name he is gene- 
 rally called. He was a disciple of St. Columb Cille, and attended him at 
 the great assembly of Droniceat, convened by Aodli, son of Ainmireach, 
 monarch of Ireland, A. D. 588. Dalian wrote a life of his master, and the 
 Amhra Colum Chille, or elegiac verses in praise of St. Columb, by which it 
 appears he survived that Saint, who, we are told, died on Whit-Sunday, the 
 9th of June, A. D. 592, according to the Four Masters, or A. D. 597, 
 according to Tigeniacli. Several imperfect copies of the Amhra, written 
 on vellum, are in various hands. One copy is in Marsh's library, another 
 in the library of Trinity College, another in the collection of William 
 Monck Mason, Esq. and another, written in 1313, is in the collection of 
 the Assistant Secretary, who has also a perfect copy, Avritten on paper, 
 which was once the projierty of Cucoigcriche O'Clery, one of the persons 
 employed in the compilation of the annals of the Four Masters. The 
 7?eim^cel, or preliminary discourse, prelixed to this tract, shews the time 
 and place in which it was written. It begins " locc 6or) elriiienyi d/t-rjmm- 
 chCcct hi cudit I cidTiaecci gliiii srimio, ^ if cij) bo ^xoniXo in mojibciil bfiumo cecco- 
 To ciimfe;^, imoji/^o .i. cim-fe^ fibo mc(c Ql\y]mej\ab jw bCfierj i>i6e)t)ia6 in mojibttil. 
 r?o bScuft ZfiO. zji) jyx^a bee in hCifiin in zan fin, ocuf jVb pojl Cdc fti b]b. Uc 
 b\xz in phb ; " Jib mac dinTni(ti5 nd nedll," 7c. *' The place of this tract is 
 Dromceat in the north, in Cianachta of Glenn Geimhin, for it was there 
 the great assembly of Dromceat was held. Its time, moreover, was the 
 time of Aodh, son of Ainmhereach, monarch of Ireland, who held this 
 assembly. There were also thirteen kings in Ireland at this time, and 
 Aodh was the name of each of them, as said the poet." 
 • " Aodh, son of Ainmhereach, of battles," &c. 
 
 The Amhra begins " bict did bo jiu^O-f fie ;:iaf md 5017^." 
 He also wrote the Amhra Sionain, or Elegy on the death of Saint 
 Seanan, beginning " Senan -foefl, f i& citoi(t," " Noble Seanan, peaceful 
 father." A copy of this poem is in the collection of the Assistant Secre- 
 tary, and it and the Amhra Colidm Cille are in the Bearla Feni, or Fenian
 
 xl 
 
 dialect of the Irish, accompanied by a gloss. There is a copy of 
 another poem of Dalian Forgaills, in the Seabright collection of MSS. 
 in the library of Trinity College, beginning " Qr,b giUcC buh di^tm nc(i|-e." 
 Upon the arms of Duach dubh, king of Oirgailla. From this it appears 
 that the shaft of Duach's spear was made of the eo y^of-fO., or yew of Ross. 
 It is probable many more of the works of Dalian are extant, although 
 they have not come within our knowledge. 
 
 A. D. .598. 
 
 xLVii. Saint Caineach, or Canice, Abbot oi Achadh bo, or field of oxen, 
 died on the 11th of October, this year. He wrote a life of Saint Patrick 
 in Irish, which, it is probable, may be still extant. 
 
 A. D. 599. 
 
 xLviii. Saint Baoithin succeeded St. Columb Cille in the abbacy of 
 Hy, and died on the 9th of January, this year. He wrote a life of Saint 
 Columb in Irish verse, and some prophecies, which are in the manuscript 
 collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 600. 
 
 xLix. St. Comhghall, founder and first abbot of the great monastery 
 of Bangor, in the Ardes in Ulster, died this year. He wrote a Rule for 
 Monks, in Irish metre, and some other poems and prose works in the 
 sain€ language. His rule begins " Conjd Hijdil do Cboimbe," " Support
 
 xli 
 
 the regulations of the Godhead." There is preserved in the Felire 
 Anguis, a poem of Cornhghall's, consisting of sixty verses, beginning 
 " CDctojiufttt)) immajtucldr)," in praise of solitude. 
 
 These works are in the MS. collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 t. St. MuRus Uved at this time. He wrote the Acts of St. Columb 
 Cille, in Irish verse. 
 
 A. D. 605. 
 
 LI. Saint MoLUA, otherwise called Lughaidh, first Abbot of Clonfert 
 Molua, died this year. He wrote a Rule for Monks, in Irish verse, 
 afterwards translated into Latin ; and, being carried to Rome, received 
 the approbation of Gregory, the first Pope of that name. This Rule 
 is said to be still extant in the Irish language, but we have not met 
 with it. 
 
 A. D. 610. 
 
 tii. Maolcobha, Monarch of Ireland, was killed, this year, according 
 to the Four Masters, at the battle of Slieve Toadh, by Suibhne Meann, 
 who succeeded him on the throne, or in A. D. 615, according to the 
 Annals of Tigernach : but the Book of Invasions states, that after his 
 defeat at Slieve Toadh, he retired from the world, and " took upon him 
 the yoke of religion,^'' in his patrimonial lands*, at a place called Drum 
 Diolar, on the bank of Caoluisce, wliere he remained in retirement, 
 secluded from the world, until he was expelled from his retreat by his 
 own brother Donald, who succeeded Suibhne Meann in the monarchy, 
 A, D. 624. The Annals of Innisfallen say that he was bishop of Clogher. 
 Maolchobha himself relates the story of his being driven from Druim 
 Diolar, in a poem of ninety-two verses, beginning " c^fio^ig tmac b|toma
 
 xlii 
 
 (Diol^," *' Suffering family of Drum Diolar." In this poem the author 
 laments the expulsion of himself and his clergy, in very pathetic terms, 
 and severely censures Mor, surnamed Mnmhun (o( Munster), the wife' 
 of his brother, as the cause of their sufferings. Upon the same subject, 
 and the number of clergy in the religious house of Drum Diolar, and the 
 benefits conferred on different classes of people by them, he wrote a poem 
 of twenty-four verses, beginning "Uiom^g 50 lei;i d<x liobjia," " Prudently 
 collect the books." He also wrote the poem, beginning " 1onmoi» d)tc(f 
 dmglibe £i|- ^ cr^^eAii CDaolcdbcC," " Pleasant the angelical habitation from 
 which is driven Maolchobha/' 
 
 These poems are all preserved in the Book of Invasions, by the 
 O'Clery's, in [)ossession of the Assistant Secretary of this Society. 
 
 A. D. 611. 
 
 LiiT. Saint CoEMHGHiN, Abbot and Bishop of Glendalogh, died on the 
 3d of June this year. He wrote a Rule for Monks in Irish verse. The 
 Leabhar Breatlmach, or Book of the Britons, contained in the Book of 
 Glendalogh, and a book on the origin of the Milesians, are attributed io 
 him. The book of Glendalogh is in the library of Trinity College. 
 
 A. D. 624. 
 
 Liv. St. Maodhog, or Edan, as he is otherwise called, first Bishop of 
 Ferns, died on the 31st of January this year. He was a native of East 
 Breifne (now called the County Cavan) and descended in the tenth 
 deo-ree from Colla Uais, who was monarch of Ireland, A. D. 327, This 
 Saint is much celebrated for his piety and miracles ; and in an ancient 
 MS. life of him, in the collection of the Assistant Secretary, there are 
 preserved some poems said to be written by him. One of these is his
 
 xliii 
 
 will, by which he divides his property between three churches, founded 
 -by him, viz. Ferns, in Leinster ; Drum Leathan, in Cavan ; and Ross 
 Inver, now in the county of Leitrim. This poem begins " 6ir)6 drj z^omr)a. 
 lr<(i6t:e;i liri," " Intention of the will set forth by us." Another of these 
 poems begins " 0;i)i5 y^eocd^ mo ciU ccCib," " Woe to those who pollute 
 my noble church." In this poem woes are denounced against all that 
 injure his churches; and such a description is given of the author, as 
 would give cause to suspect that the verses were not the genuine pro- 
 ductions of Maodhog. 
 
 A. D. 636. 
 
 LV. Saint Carthag, otherwise called Mochuda, first Bishop of Lismore, 
 died on the 14th of May this year. He wrote a metrical Rule for 
 Monks, beginning " ^lye dyndm M patd," " It is the way of the Lord." 
 This poem is in the collection of Irish MSS. belonging to the Assistant 
 Secretary to this Society. 
 
 A. D. 641. 
 
 Lvi. Seanchak Torpest lived in the time that Guaire the Generous 
 was king of Conaght. He wrote a poem of twenty-eight verses, begin- 
 ning " f?o pic pejigu^ picic caccc," " Fergus fought twenty battles." This 
 poem is historical, and gives an account of the battles of Fergus, son of 
 Rossa, and grandson of Roderick, monarch of Ireland, from A. M. 
 381.5, until A. M. 3862, according to O'Flaherty's computation. A 
 copy of this poem is preserved in the Book of Leacan, fol. 17, col. 2d, 
 and another copy is in possession of the Assistant Secretary. Its lan- 
 guage and measure are strong proofs of its antiquity. 
 
 h
 
 xlir 
 
 A. D. 650. 
 
 Lvn. Saint Braccan, from whom Ardbrackan, near Navan, in the 
 county of Meath, derives its name, is stated to have lived in this year, 
 by Ware, in his account of Irish writers. The time of his death is not 
 mentioned either in the Annals of Tigernach, Inisfallen, or the Four 
 Masters, but it is probable that he died before this period, as he was the 
 predecessor of St. Ultan, who, at the advanced age of one hundred and 
 eighty years, died A. D. 656, according to the Four Masters, or 657, as 
 Tigernach relates. Several prophecies in Irish verse, ascribed to Braccan, 
 are still existing in this country, some of which are in the possession of 
 the Assistant Secretary. — Ware says, that the prophecies of Braccan were 
 collected and published by Walter de Islip, in the year 1317. 
 
 A. D. 651. 
 
 Lviii. Segine, Abbot of Hy, or lona, died this year. He wrote a Rule 
 for Monks, in Irish verse, which is said to be extant, but we cannot say 
 where it is to be found. 
 
 A. D. 653. 
 
 Lix. Saint Fursey, founder of the Abbey of Cnobersburgh, or Burgh 
 Castle, in Suffolkshire, England, and of the Abbey of Laigny, in the 
 diocese of Paris, died at Peronne, in France, this year, according to the 
 Annals of Boyle, or in A. D. 654, according to Tigernach, who relates 
 his death in these words, " pr/tfd be^ tt pF^tanccaiB," " Fursey died in 
 France," and gives the following quotation to shew who were his parents :
 
 xlv 
 
 locir)6 6o 6ctil rQln<ii]6e 
 
 Fursey wrote some prophecies, hymns, and other poems, copies of 
 which are in several hands, particularly in an ancient vellum MS. the 
 property of William Monck Mason, Esq. Of these poems, being mostly 
 on religious subjects and not illustrative of the History of Ireland, we 
 forbear giving a particular account. The festival of this Saint i& 
 observed on the J 6th of January. 
 
 A. D. 656. 
 
 Lx. Saint Ultan, the successor of Braccan in the Abbey of Ardbracken, 
 and from whom the place was sometimes called Tobar Ultain, or Ultaii's 
 Well, died this year. He wrote a life of Saint Patrick, and some metrical 
 prophecies in the Irish language. The copy of the Life of our Apostle 
 that we have seen attributed to Ultan, is certainly the production of a 
 more modern pen. Copies of the prophecies are in the collection of the 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 661. 
 
 LXI. 
 
 CoLMAN O'Cluasaith, the tutor of Cuman fada (the tall) lived 
 
 at the time of Cuman's death, which happened in the year 661. A quo- 
 tation from a poem of Colman's, upon the death of his disciple Cuman, 
 is given by the Four Masters, under that year. We cannot point out 
 where any of his entire pieces are now to be found.
 
 xlvi 
 
 A. D. 664. 
 
 Lxii. Manchen of Leith, died this year, according to the Four Masters, 
 but the Annals of Ulster say he died A. D. 655. He wrote some poems 
 of a religious kind, still extant in the Irish language. He also wrote a 
 book intituled " The Wonders of Scripture," extant in the third volume 
 of St. Augustine's works, and falsely ascribed to that Saint. O'Flaherty 
 quotes a poem of Manchen's, beginning, " lobdl o ;\o bisedj-om," " Since 
 Idols were expelled." 
 
 A. D. 673. 
 
 LXiii. Beg BoiRCHE, King of Ulster, according to the Annalists, took 
 the Cross, and went on a pilgrimage this year. A quotation from a 
 poem of his on the death of Mongan, son of Feachna, is given by the 
 Four Masters, under the year 620, and by Tigernach at 626. 
 
 A. D. 678. 
 
 Lxiv. CiNNFAELADH Fodlilumtha (Jearned), or Cinnfaeladh, son of 
 Olioll, died this year, according to the Annals of Ulster, and the Four 
 Masters, or A. D. 679, according to Tigernach. He is also surnamed 
 Ei<^eas, or wise. He wrote many poems and prose Morks, some of which 
 have descended entire to our times, and others of them are quoted by 
 the Four Masters, under the years 499 and 507. His poem on the 
 situation of the house of Bliodhcuarta, or middle court of the royal 
 palace of Tara, beginning Sir^jitj 0156 COiobcr<]t;a, is to be found in an 
 ancient vellum MS. the property of William Monck Mason, Esq. and 
 another old copy is in possession of the Assistant Secretary. His poem of
 
 xlvii 
 
 fifty-six verses, beginning *' Go l-rj6 golctii) ctyiti Scicirt," " Golamli departed 
 from Scythia," upon the travels and adventures of Golamh (Milesius) 
 from ills departure from Scythia until his arrival in Spain, and afterwards 
 in Ireland, is preserved in the Book of Invasions contained in the Book 
 of Leacan, and also in the Book of Invasions by the O'Clery's. There 
 are other copies of this poem in various hands, the most valuable of 
 which is one in possession of the Assistant Secretary, collated with three 
 very ancient copies, and thy various reading given in the margin. 
 Cinnfaeladh improved the Uraicepht, or as it is sometimes written, the 
 Uraicecht, of Ferceirtne. 
 
 We have already shewn, under A. M. 3950, that Ferceirtne, and not 
 Forchern, as stated by O'Flaherty and O'Connor, was the original author 
 of the Uraicepht ; but so many dilTerent copies of a book bearing that 
 title, and author's name, now in existence, and all varying from each 
 other, in some things, show that it has gone through various editions, 
 with additions and alterations. The principal editor or emendator of the 
 Uraicepht, was Cinfaeladh, but it is impossible to say what parts were 
 written by Ferceirtne, or by this editor, although it is no difficult task 
 to point out parts certainly written long after the time of the ori<rinal 
 author, if not subsequent to Cinnfaeladh himself. 
 
 This Book is generally preceded by the Book of Oghams, as in the 
 copy preserved in the Book of Ballymote, the copy in the library of 
 Trinity College, Dublin, class H. 54, and the copy in the possession of 
 the Assistant Secretary ; but each of these copies wants somethin- , more 
 or less, towards the end. The copy in Sir William Betham's book, 
 begins " Caz e loc deaf aim^fejt <xcaf fenfo. aca-f zuc<X\z fCjxihd'.nb i))6 Aj^m- 
 ciucctt? 1)111. loc 60 emdio COctcbct, cicctj- in Am-feji Coyico!-| mac jNej-d okicc 
 tt 6eiic(m. Uugaic 6ctn a beiima .1. bo bjieic cteyd frdinb pO)t pej-. pencertcne tili 
 bof fiijni. Cenbpaeldd mdc ?lileUiX ;io ■n(Xzhm^e-fz<^ 1 nb^e lufitJii) m rti,Ti,'e,t 
 fCbO. mctc Qlinmi/iec imaiUe Id h(^ moift id 6e^lai," " What is the time and 
 the place, and the person, and the cause of writing of the Uraicecht ? 
 Not difficult. The place of it Eaman of Macha, and in tSie time of 
 Conor, son of Nessa, it was done. The cause of doing it, /. e. to briu"^ 
 ignorant people to knowledge. Ferceirtne, the poet, performed it. 
 Cinnfaeladh, son of Olioll, revised it in Daire Lurain, in the time of 
 Aodh, son of Ainmireacb, along with much more of the language."
 
 xlviii 
 
 The copy in the Assistant Secretary's collection, begins *' Ctficce locc 
 acuf dim^e/t dcuy fejifa acu-f cuccoic |-C;tiBi)j oiri<X\j\ecaczo ? nin. locc 60 Cmr,ri 
 nato ttcuy- tx r)amfef\ Concobciiji meic ^leyo <i^]cz. pe/iceftcni pili 60 picch))! 
 .:. 60 bfifit ofy-u ptfi» poft pfiy. Cfnnpoelab mac Oiliol fio dcnuci6bti6b 1 riboi/te 
 lu/itiin mcciUe ^e be|tm6;t jic( |-c;tepr;ici," " What is the place, and the time, 
 and person, and cause of writing the Uraicecht? Not difficult. The 
 place of it Eamain of Macha, and in the time of Conor, son of Nesa, it 
 was done. Ferceirtne the poet made it, i. e. to bring ignorant people 
 to knowledge. Cinnfaeladh, son of Olioll, renewed it in Derry Lurain, 
 with many other Avritings." 
 
 In addition to the works already mentioned, Cinnfaeladh revised the 
 laws of Cormac mac Art, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 254. 
 
 A. D. 685. 
 
 Lxv. Flann fionnv/aaa. name given by the Irish to Aldfred, king of 
 the Northumbrian Saxons, who, during his exile in Ireland, passed his time 
 in study, as we are assured by venerable Bede, in his life of St. Cuthbert. 
 He wrote a poem in the Irish language, consisting of ninety-six verses, on 
 Ireland, and the things he found there. This poem begins, " ??o 6ecic 
 1)) ]r)if pTi pcJil, 1 1) 6^1") jie imd/tBaib," " I found in the pleasant island of Fail, 
 in Ireland by exile." A copy of this poem is preserved in a very old 
 and valuable vellum MS. in the library of William Monck Mason, Esq. 
 and another ancient copy is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 696. 
 
 Lxvi. We have shewn, under the year 550, that a person of the name of 
 Amebgin mac Amalgaidh was poet to Dermod, son of Fergus Ceirbheoil,
 
 xllx 
 
 monarch of Frcland, and was the reputed author of the Dinn ^eanchais. 
 By an old vellum MS. of the Seabright collection, in the library of 
 Trinity College, it appears that another writer of that name lived in the 
 time of Finghin, son of Cu-gan-mhathair, king of Munster. The latter 
 Amergin, of whom we here treat, was author of a law tract on the 
 privileges and punishments of persons of ditferent ranks in society, 
 beginning " toe bon lirBdfi^a fr,zi\me cojicojittc, <iccij- dimj-ift 60 dini'^in pi))6- 
 gaiue fnic cae cm matrti;t, no idic corj cen m<^ia^J^, ac<Xf pe;t|-ci 60 'Stmaiftgij) mdc 
 ■Jlmctlgaid fnic Cpail jiucnn," " The place of this book Fuitrime Corconach, 
 and its time the time of Finghin, son of Cu-cin-mathair, or Con-cen- 
 niathair, and its person Amergin, son of Amalgaidh, son of Maolruana." 
 
 From the similarity of names in these authors, and those of the fathers 
 and grandfathers of each, one would be led to suppose them the same 
 person. But the first, it appears, was the poet of Dermod, son of 
 Fergus Ceirbheoil, monarch of Ireland, who died A. D. .566, or, as the 
 Four Masters have it, in 558, and the latter wrote the Law tract just now 
 mentioned in the time of Finghin, son of Cu-cen-mathair, king of 
 Munster. The Annals of Innisfallen place the death of Cu-cen-mathair 
 in A. D. 662, and that of Finghin in A. D. 696, full 130 years after the 
 death of Dermod, at the lowest computation of Tigernach. Hence we 
 may fairly infer, that the present Amergin was a different person from 
 the Amergin who is said to have been the original author of the Dinn 
 Senachas. 
 
 A. D. 691. 
 
 Lxvii. Saint Molaing, from whom Teach Mholing, or Timolin, in the 
 county Kildare, is called, died on the 17th of June this year. Some 
 prophecies ascribed to him are in the hands of the Assistant Secretary ; 
 but if they were written by him, their language has been much modernized 
 by some later writers.
 
 A. D. 104. 
 
 Lxviii. Adamnan, or Adamnanus, Abbot of Hy, or J. Coluim dlle, died 
 on the 23d of September this year, in the seventy-seventh year of his 
 age, and twenty-fifth year of his abbotship. In the month of June, in 
 the year 683, the Saxons having made a predatory landing in Ireland, 
 laid waste and plundered Magh Breagh, sparing neither ecclesiastical 
 nor lay property, and carried off with them, along with the spoils, a great 
 number of the inhabitants. In the following year, Adamnan went into 
 England, and by prayers and intreaties, and, as the Four Masters relate, 
 by the working of many miracles, he obtained for himself great honours 
 from king Alfred, and for the people, that had been carried off, their 
 liberty, and the restitution of their property. He wrote many works both 
 in Irish and Latin. Of his Irish works but few have remained to our 
 times. An imperfect copy of his Vision is in the hands of John 
 M'Namara, Esq. a member of this Society, and another in the collection 
 of the Assistant Secretary, and also a copy of his poem, of fifty-two verses, 
 beginning " In b^u cie cfngldii; cuacctJ," upon the remission of the Boro- 
 mean tribute to the people of Leinster, by Y\oi\naich.i-A Jieadhach (festive) 
 at the intercession of Saint Moling. 
 
 The Vision of Adamnan is in prose, partly Latin and part Irish. The 
 Irish part begins " Ij- edb in ifo r/tcc po;tuy- dcciy bli^edb tiDimcdi/tbed^ci pedfi 
 riCftioa piim leyugiJb d ccoftp dcay d nanir)cin6, p^io, binbct^bdb plaig dcrt'j- 
 geince (tccty 6rr)ibab 6ic5, ctm-r^l fio jioillpjectb 6o Qliamnctn .b. tine, d Cornell 
 be dctty pSoCftuicc." " Here is set down laws and regulations of spiritual 
 friendship for the men of Ireland, for the correction of their bodies and 
 souls, for expelling from them plagues and infidels, and manslaughter, 
 as it was revealed to Adamnan, the descendant of Tine, in the counsel 
 of God and Patrick." 
 
 A. D. 722. 
 
 Lxix. NuADHA Ilomhtdr flourished at this time. Tigernach, in his 
 Annals, under this year, gives a quotation of twelve verses from Nuadha,
 
 li 
 
 in praise of the prowess and courage of Morogh, son of Bran, king of 
 Leinster, who defeated and killed Fergal, son of Maelduin, monarch of 
 Ireland, in the battle of Almhuin or Allen, fought this year. 
 
 Lxx. At the same period flourished Cubertan Mac Congusa, who, 
 like Nuadha, recorded in verse the bloody battle of Allen. Tigernach, 
 in his Annals, speaking of this battle under the year 722, gives a quota- 
 tion from Cubertan upon that subject. 
 
 We have not seen any entire pieces the production of either of these 
 last-mentioned writers. 
 
 It may be necessary to observe, that the Four Masters, and Doctor 
 Keating, in his History of Ireland, say that the battle of Almhuin^ or 
 Allen, was fought in the year 718, but O'Flaherty, in Ogygia, agrees 
 with Tigernach in assigning it to the year 722. 
 
 A. D. 730. 
 
 Lxxi. AoDH Allain, monarch of Ireland, commenced his reign this 
 year, according to the Four Masters ; or 734, according to Tigernach and 
 O'Flaherty. Some verses of Aodh Allain's composition, are preserved 
 in the O'Clery's Book of Invasions, and other verses of his writing are 
 quoted by the Four Masters, under the year 734. 
 
 A. D. 734. 
 
 Lxxii. On the 19th of December, in this year, died Saint Samhthand, 
 Virgin. A prophecy in verse, said to be delivered by her, is quoted in 
 the Annals of Tigernach, under the year 738. It is given more fully in 
 the O'Clery's Book of Invasions, in the MS, collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary.
 
 Hi 
 
 A. D. 742. 
 
 Lxxin. In the time of Cathal, son of Finghin, king of Munster, who 
 died A. D. 742, flourished the three O'Burchans, brothers, named 
 Farann, Boethgal, and Maoltuile ; the first a bishop, the second a judge, 
 and the third a poet. They wrote some laws, fragments of which may 
 be found in the Seabright collection in the library of Trinity College, 
 Dublin. 
 
 Lxxrv. Cotemporary with the last-mentioned writers was Cearmnadh 
 file, or the poet. In the Seabright MSS. in the College library, class H, 
 No. 54, is preserved a law tract, written by this author, as appears by a 
 memorandum prefixed in the same hand-writing as that in which the law 
 itself is written. It begins " Ci6 ly locc tJcay i^ c[im,^eft tlcct^ d^ pe;tyd, 
 ticdy cuccdit; ^c^\h\rt botvx con^ib fi^giU ? J^-Ifn. locc b6\h Callcdo o tuj^ hi 
 Ceamftdij, actjy Simv-eft b6\h ttim-^eji Cdtdil, meic pijigi^jie, aciXf pe;ifa boib 
 Cejimnd pile, rtcdj- cuccdic d Tibenrnd 6o pubtab bojtb dcdy tiiDeolac, acdj- 6o h^e\t 
 tie|-c(prti)i po|t penalise," " What is the place, and the time, and the 
 person, and the cause of writing of the ways to judgment ? Not difficult. 
 The place of them Callain of Lughair, in Tarah ; and the time of them 
 the time of Cathal, son of Fingaine; and the person of them Cearmna, 
 the poet; and the cause of their being done, to suppress violence and 
 ignorance, and to bring unlearned people to a knowledge of law." 
 
 A. D. Wi. 
 
 ixxv. RuANAN, son of Colba, a great poet, died this year, according 
 to Tigernach. We have not yet discovered where his works are deposited. 
 Probably they may be in the library of Trinity College, but for the dis- 
 covery of the Irish MSS. in that library, their present catalogue is of but 
 little use.
 
 liii 
 
 A. D. Tt8. 
 
 Lxxvr. The Four Masters record the death of Ciaran of Bealach-dun, 
 this year. He wrote a life of St. Patrick, iii Irish, but it has not come 
 into our hands. 
 
 A. D. 800. 
 
 Lxxvii. Angus Ceile De flourished in the latter end of the eiurhthcen- 
 tury, and died early in the ninth. He wrote a Felire, or Hierology, in 
 Irish verse, giving an account of the festivals observed in the church in 
 his time. The reimsceul, or preliminary discourse, prefixed to this per- 
 formance, gives the pedigree of the author, through several generations, 
 by which it appears he was descended from Caelbach, king of Ulster, 
 who defeated and killed Muireadhach Tireach, monarch of Ireland, at 
 the battle of Port Righ, and succeeded him on the throne. The Reim- 
 sceul gives the time and place in which the author wrote this poem. It 
 commences " Cetdjibd conbagct/i bo cctc eldticnn .1. locc acaf ciimj-efi, c(cc(y- 
 pcfij-a, acdf zuc<x\z -fCi^^bnb. Locc eifn bon elcJbrtm^i cecamuy Cul Oeric^, ctmirjg 
 pecbec ic;tic .b. f^lf^e, nctxf indic 1 odfniacccdn in6eHnc(& 6tn ; no m 61 1 cluctin 
 eibnec ct titi6^cecal rtctty a Cul Oenbc^ 0. po^ibad, acdf i^in aw i ctfmlaccdin. — 
 Jin^uf imu;t;to mac, 7c," " There are four co-necessaries in every learned 
 treatise, i. e. place, time, person, and cause of writing. Therefore, the 
 place of this piece was first Ciil Banaghar, in the plain of Rechet, in the 
 country of I Failge, or O'Faly, and its revisal inTamhlacht; (now 
 Tallagh near Dublin) or else in Cluain Eidhnach it was begun, and in 
 Ciil Banagher it was finished, and revised in Tallacht. — ^ngus, moreover, 
 was son of Oiblein, son of Fidrai, son of Dermod, son of Ainmirech, son of 
 Cellair, son of Aenluaigh, son of Caelbaidh, son of Cruinba-draoi, son of 
 Eochaidh Coba, son of Lughdhach, son of Fiacha Airidh, from whom aro 
 the Dal-Araidhc named. It is, moreover, the time of its writing the time
 
 liv 
 
 of Conor, son of Aodh Oirdnighe, son of NhW/rasaigh, for it was he who 
 took the government of Ireland after Donogh, son of Donall of Meath, 
 king of Meath ; for Angus, in the preface to the Felire, mentions the death 
 of Donogh." 
 
 The Feh're is written in that kind of verse called by the Irish poets 
 rinn aird, in which ever)' verse ends with a word of two syllables, contains 
 six syllables in the verse, and the entire rami twenty-four. It begins 
 
 " ^e ^il bd\ac btxUeb 
 odi6e6 in pf ;iemaii), 
 ir,b po jtecc n<[b nd/i^il, 
 C]\\fz h Calen Cjiai/t." 
 
 Literal translation : 
 
 " In the congregation of the seed of man, 
 Went the king before us, 
 Submitted to the noble law 
 Christ, on the Calends of January," 
 
 Aengus also wrote the Psalter na ranrt, which is an abridged history 
 of the descendants of Abraham, from the birth of Isaac, until after the 
 death of Moses. 
 
 A copy of the Felire, beautifully written on vellum, is in the collection 
 of the Assistant Secretary. From its orthography, and other internal 
 marks of antiquity, it may be concluded that this MS. was written at least 
 as early as the eleventh century, and is, perhaps, the oldest copy of 
 that work now in existence. There is an entire copy in the Leabhar breae 
 mac Aedhagain, or Speckled Book of Mac Egan, in the library of the 
 Royal Irish Academy, and an imperfect copy on vellum in the same 
 library. 
 
 The Psalter na Rann is preserve<l in a large MS. the property of 
 Sir William Betham. It is written in a fine strong hand, and occupies 
 upwards of six folio pages, closely written on the largest size vellum.
 
 Iv 
 
 A. D. 850. 
 
 Lxxvni. About this time flourished Fingin, son of Flann dalia Duhh- 
 dartalgh. He was author of a hymn, consisting of two hundred and 
 eighty verses, in praise of the Holy Trinity, beginning *' 21 mo combiu 
 uell," " Oh my exalted Divinity." 
 
 Copy in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, class H. 54. page 35, 
 and in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 816. 
 
 Lxxix. At this time flourished Fothadh na Canni, poet to Aodh Finu- 
 liaith, monarch of Ireland, who died on the 16th of the calends of De- 
 csmber, A. D. 876, according to this poet, or 879, according to O' Fla- 
 herty's computation from the Annals of Tigernach. We have met with 
 but two poems of this author's writing, one of which is an ode addressed 
 to Aodh flnnliaith, on his coronation, and the other is on his death. 
 The fii-st consists of two hundred and forty verses, beginning " Cej^c cec 
 jiig CO fteill, " Right of every king lawfully." In this ode the poet says, 
 " rights are lavvfully due to the descendants of Niall, except from tlie 
 abbot of Ardmagh, the king of Cashel, and the king of Tarah." He 
 gives instructions to his prince for his general conduct, as a private man 
 and as a king. He advises him to make no peace with his enemies without 
 receiving hostages ; to honour the ministers of religion ; to treat his 
 chieftains with kindness and respect ; to curb villany and licentiousness 
 by the rigor of the law ; to do justice to every man, &c. 
 
 The second poem consists of only twelve verses, in which the author 
 records the death of his king, and mentions in the first raun the number 
 of years that elapsed from the creation of the world to that time ; in the 
 second rann he gives the number of years that had expired since the
 
 Ivi 
 
 birth of Christ ; and, in the last rann, mentions the particular day on 
 which the king died. 
 
 Copies of these poems are preserved in two ancient vellum manu- 
 scripts, in the library of William Monck Mason, Esq. and in the collec- 
 tion of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 Lxxx. At this period also flourished Flannagan, son of CeaUach. He 
 was author of a poem, consisting of twenty-four verses, on the death of 
 Aodh finnliaith, monarch of Ireland, in which he praises the piety, 
 generosity, magnanimity, &c. of that hero. 
 
 Copies in the library of William Monck Mason, Esq, and in the col- 
 lection of the Assistant Secretary- 
 
 A. D. 880. 
 
 Lxxxi. Laitheog Z,a/rf//eac/t ('the Poe//c^ flourished at this time. She 
 was the daughter of Laignechan, of the race of Conall Gulban, and 
 mother of Flann mac Lonain, who held the office of Chief Poet of Ireland, 
 from the conimencement of the reign of Flann Sionna, A. D. 879, until 
 his death, which happened in the year 891 , according to the Four Masters, 
 or 896, according to the Annals of Inisfallen. The poem beginnini; 
 " henbAoz o;ic a plditj dibne," " Blessing on thee, Oh Flann of Aidne," 
 addressed to Flann mac Lonan, is said to be the work of this poetess. 
 
 A. D. 884. 
 
 Lwxiu The Four Masters, in their annals under the year 884, record 
 the death of Maolmura of Fathan, in these words, " CPrfolmu/icc dn pile 
 fo\f^cie j:io;t-eolac, -j-ca/iaibe g/tgija an Oe^ld Scoicegbct 6ecc," " Maolmura,
 
 Ivii 
 
 a well-taught skilful poet, and intelligent historian, died." This author 
 is sometimes called Maolmuire Othna. He wrote some historical poems 
 that still survive. One of these is quoted by O'Flaherty, in Ogygia, 
 part 3d, chap. 72. It consists of two hundred and forty-eight verses, and 
 begins " Candm bunubd^- net ngrteiftil," " Let us sing the origin of the Gade- 
 lians." la this poem the author derives the origin of the Milesians from 
 Japhet, son of Noah, and gives an account of the peregrinations of their 
 ancestors, from the dispersion at Babel to their arrival in Ireland. 
 
 A very tine copy of this poem is in the collection of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary. 
 
 2d, A poem of two hundred and sixty-eight verses, beginning 
 
 " Cjwat oj- cfticttdi!) Cudtctl ceccfndfi, 
 
 leoToai) d/i ve^z, rjdtdijt neime, 
 
 |!accln) fr^le" 
 
 " Lord over Lords, Tuathal legal, 
 A flowing ocean ; 
 A lion in strength, a wily serpent, 
 
 A wounding warrior." 
 
 This poem is preserved in the Book of Invasions, by the O'Clerys, in 
 possession of the Assistant Secretary. It gives an account of the great 
 actions of Tuathal Teachtmhur {^legitimate), monarch of Ireland, from 
 A. D. 130, to A. D. 160. It recites the battles fought by that prince 
 against Eochaidh, king of Leinster, who was his son-in law ; and against 
 the Athacli Tuatha, or Plebeians (improperly called Attacots, by some 
 writers on Irish Antiquities) who had risen in arms against their legal 
 sovereigns, but who were completely subdued by Tuathal. In this poent 
 the poet endeavours, by a recital of the glorious deeds of this prince, to 
 stimulate Flann Sionna, his own sovereign, to imitate so illustrious an 
 example. 
 
 3d, A poem of seventy-six verses, beginning 
 
 " piaii po;i e;\irj hi rig cogdlbi, 
 
 Cudtrtil rectiT)fl/i
 
 Iviii 
 
 go nea^xz joiU." 
 
 " Flann reians over Erin in the chosen liouso 
 
 Of Tuathal the legitimate, 
 To whom belonged not excessive contribution of a noble hero. 
 
 With mighty valour." 
 
 In this poem Maolmura gives a catalogue of the nionarchs of Ireland, 
 from Tuathal Teachtnihar to Flan Sionna. 
 
 In the Book of Lecan, and in an ancient MS. in possession of the 
 Assistant Secretary, these two latter poems are blended together, so as 
 to make but one entire piece, which begins with the rmm here given, as 
 the commencement of the third poem; and the rami that we give as 
 bco-innin"- the second poem, and the two ranns immediately following 
 it, and some others, are omitted. There are also some variations in the 
 readings, and two or three ranns are added that do not appear in either 
 of these poems ; one of which states, that six hundred and fifty years 
 had elapsed between the death of Tuathal and the commencement of 
 the reio^n of Flann ; which must be an error, as Tuathal died, according 
 to the Four Masters, A. D. 106, or as O'Flaherty asserts, perhaps with 
 more truth, A. D. 160, and Flann Sionna began to reign A. D. 879 ; so 
 that instead of six hundred and fifty years having elapsed, according to 
 the Book of Lecan, seven hundred and nineteen years at least must have 
 expired. 
 
 The death of Maolnnira is related in the Book of Invasions in these 
 words, " OOcielmr^ide dn pile poificcie pjteoldc, ^ccJ/ictibe ea/tgncc c(n hejxla. 
 Scoi^eccbd, 6o ecc if iti oczm6 blmbam 6o fl<X]t pioincc z-fioria. 884." " Maol- 
 mura the skilful, a truly learned poet, an intelligent historian in the 
 Scottish language, died in the eighth year of the reign of Flann Sionna, 
 884." 
 
 A. D. 891. 
 
 Lxxxiii. Cotemporary with Maolmura Othna was Flann mac Lonan, a 
 native of Conaght, and clxief poet of Ireland, in the early part of the
 
 lix 
 
 reign of Flann Sionna, whose government began A. D. 879. The Annals of 
 Inisfallen place the death of Flann mac Lonan under the year 896. " pan 
 mdc lontcin c(|i6 ollam gdoiSil 60 m(i|iBci6 60 -qb Ccu^ibjirjde .1. o hi;B f:oca ctic loc 
 bd cdoc a nbe\f]bCOumri" " Flann, son of Lonan, chief poet of the Gathe- 
 lians, was killed by the descendants of Curbruidhe, i.e. of the Hy Fotha, 
 at Lough-da-chanch, in the Desies of Munster." The Four Masters, by some 
 strange mistake, record the death of this poet twice in the same words; 
 first under the year 891, and again A. D. 918. " plaii mac lontiir), Ui^igil 
 'fA Scocd, pfiimpile ^^lo'beal ijle, pile d^r beic hd\ i nC/tiT? lud ^imj-ijl 60 md/iBrtb 
 la mctCTjB CcYj^i/tSi^be (60 r^ potdio lacj'en) hi nbifne caide h\c loc 6a caec ? 
 nbeiy-ii) CPumct))," " Flann, son of Lonan, Virgil of tlie race of Scota, chief 
 Ollamh of all the Gaedhals, the best poet that was in Ireland in his time, 
 was murdered by the sons of Currbuidhe (they were of the Hy Fotha) in 
 Dun-Taidhe, at Lough-da-chaoch, in the Desies of Munster." 
 
 From the character given of Flann, it is to be presumed that his works 
 were numerous, or at least remarkable for superior style and sweetness 
 of number ; but the few poems of his writing that have come under the 
 observation of the writer of this account of Irish authors, are not pos- 
 sessed of any extraordinary beauties. 
 
 Copies of three poems written by Flann, are to be found in the account 
 of the spreading branches of Heber, son of Milesius, in the Leabhar 
 Muimltneach, or Munster Book, in possession of the Assistant Secretary 
 of this Society. 
 
 1st, A poem of eighty-eight verses, beginning " lo/icSn locct fteijig 
 6ei|ic," " Lorcan of Lough Deirg dheirc." Upon the defeat of Flann 
 Sionna, by Lorcan, king of Munster, and grandfather of Brian Boroimhe. 
 2d, A poem of forty-eight verses, beginning " lo;icdn leijt za^p^ pobla," 
 " Lorcan, wise beyond the men of Fodhia, (Ireland)."'' In praise of the 
 actions of Lorcan, king of Munster. 
 
 .3d, A poem of forty verses, beginning " Cea»iCo;ic(t> bun na cc^la," 
 " Ceann-Coradh, inclosure of harvest stores." Upon the fortress of 
 Ceann-Coradh in the days of Cinneide, son of Lorcan, and father of Brian 
 Boroimhe, king of Munster and monarch of Ireland. 
 To these are added the following :
 
 Ix 
 
 4th, A poem of two hundred and thirty-two verses, beginning " CottdU 
 cr,r)^\t> cloine ^leiU," " Conall, liero of the race of Niall," by some 
 persons attributed to this author; by others to Flann, of the monastery of 
 Bute ; and by others again, with more probability, to Giolla Brighide 
 Mac Coinmhide. See under the year 1350. 
 
 5th, The poem, beginning " Coigdl cin COa-gdyn mdrc ;n," in praise of 
 Congal, who was monarch of Ireland seven years, from the year 704, is 
 also attributed to this writer. 
 
 A. D. 908. 
 
 Lxxxiv. CoRMAC Mac Cuillionan, king of Munster, and archbishop 
 of Cashel, was killed this year, in the battle of Bealach Mughna, fought 
 by him against Flann Sionna, the monarch of Ireland, Cearbhall, king 
 of Leinster, and Cathal, son of Conor, king of Conaght. He wrote 
 many tracts, both prose and verse, some of which have come down to 
 our times, and others were extant in the days of our fathers ; the most 
 remarkable of those now extant are the following: — 
 
 1. A glossary, explaining the difficult words in his native language. 
 This glossary is, by some antiquarians, supposed to be written by 
 
 Cormac mac Art, monarch of Ireland, in the middle of the third century 
 after our Lord Jesus Christ ; but the number of words in this tract, 
 explained by, or derived from, the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, 
 are presumptive proofs that the work could not have been written by 
 the last-mentioned author, unless we admit, that learning had arrived to 
 a much higher pitch in Ireland at this early period, than some persons 
 are willing to allow. 
 
 2. The Psalter of Cashel. This was a collection of Irish Records, iu 
 prose and verse, transcribed from more ancient documents, such as the 
 Psalter of Tarah, &c. It contained also many original pieces, some of 
 them written by Cormac himself. This book was extant in Limerick, in 
 the year 1712, as appears by a large folio MS. in the Irish language, pre- 
 served in the library of Cashel, written in Limerick in that year, and 
 partly transcribed from the original Psalter of Cashel. The writer of this
 
 Ixi 
 
 account was indulged with a perusal of the Cashel MS. by his Grace thf 
 present Archfjishop. The original Psalter of Cashel was long supposed 
 to be lost, but it is now said to be deposited in the British Museum. 
 
 Several poems ascribed to Cormac Mac Cuillionan are preserved in 
 the libraries of Trinity College, and of William Monck Mason, Esq. 
 and in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. Some of these poems 
 are historical, and some are on religious subjects. One of them contains 
 his will. We forbear giving a particular account of each poem, as they 
 are not illustrative of the history or antiquities of our country. 
 
 Lxxxv. At the same time Avith Cormac Mac Cuillionan, lived Sealb- 
 HACH, the Secretary of that prince. He wrote a poem, reciting the names 
 of the Saints of Ireland, and distinguishing the tribes to which each Saint 
 belonged. It begins " ^1dom ^ecoicrty r)Ciofn Infe pail," " The sacred pedi- 
 gree of the Saints of Ireland." 
 
 This poem is by some writers ascribed to Cormac, but is more gene- 
 rally attributed to Sealbhach. 
 
 Copies of it are in the library of Trinity College, Dublin ; in the 
 collections of William Monck Mason, Esq. and in that of the Assistant 
 Secretary to this Society. 
 
 A. D. 941. 
 
 Lxxxvi. CoRBMACAN EiGEAS flourished in the time that Donogh, son 
 of Flann Sionna, governed Ireland, and Muirceartach, son of Niall glun- 
 duhh (black-kneed) ruled the province of Ulster. He was chief poet of 
 Ulster, the friend and counsellor of Muirceartach, and his companion in 
 all his expeditions against the Danes, who then tyrannized over Ireland. 
 The Book of Invasions, by the O'Clerys, relates that Muirceartach, 
 after triumphing over the Danes in his own province, and at Dublin in 
 conjunction with the monarch, made a selection of his best troops, and 
 with them made a circuit of Ireland, in which the kings of the other 
 provinces, and the chiefs of districts, paid him tribute, and delivered 
 him hostages. Upon his return to Oileach, his own people of Cineal
 
 Ixii 
 
 Eoj^haii advised him to go to Tarah, and demand hostages from Donogh, 
 the monarch. This he not only refused, but sent the hostages that were 
 given to him in his circuit, to Donogh, as the supreme governor of the 
 entire kingdom. The monarcli, highly gratified by this proof of loyalty in 
 Muirceartach, returned the hostages to him, as the most proper person to 
 keep what had been delivered into his hands. To commemorate this 
 circuit, and the mighty deeds of his prince, Corbmacan wrote his poem 
 of two hundred and fifty-six verses, beginning " Ql COTj^ced/t-cnj meic 
 ^leiU fldi(t, )<o gabcdy gidllu Iny-e pdil," " Oh Muirceartach, son of worthy 
 Niall, thou who hast received hostages from Falia's Isle." 
 
 Tn this poem the poet extols the noble actions of his king, and declares 
 him superior to CuchuUin, Fergus mac Roigh, Curaoi mac Daire, and 
 other heroes of antiquity. From the extraordinary merit of this poem, 
 we cannot but re"ret that more of this author's works have not come 
 into our hands. 
 
 A copy of this poem is preserved in the O'Clerys' Book of Conquests, 
 and in the pedigree of the once royal family of O'Neill, in the hands of 
 the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 958. 
 
 Lxxxvii. FiNNSNEACHTA O'CuiLL, chicf poct of Munstcr, died this year, 
 according to the Amials of the Four Masters. Of the number and nature 
 of his works, or where they are now to be found, we can at present say 
 nothing. Perhaps some of them may be in the library of Trinity Col- 
 lege, amongst the great heap of Irish manuscripts that are not described 
 in the catalogue. 
 
 A. D. 9T5. 
 
 Lxxxviii. CiNAETH O'Hartigan, a famous Irish poet, died this year. 
 Tigernach, the Annalist, relates his death in these words: " Cinciec: 
 Ji. })<Xj\zixcca]r) p;tiiT) eiccey leite Chr,n n)o;ticu;i," " Cinaeth O'Hartagan,
 
 Ixiii 
 
 chief of the learned of Leath Chuhin, (Conns half, or Northern division 
 of Ireland) dies." 
 
 Some entire poems, the works of this author, have come down to our 
 titnes, and many quotations from others are preserved in ancient MSS. 
 of great celebrity. His poem of one hundred and eight verses, begin- 
 ning " boman, butaiD dlai)i6e," " World, transitory beautiful," gives a 
 description of the beauty of the hill, and splendour of the palace of 
 Tarah, in the days of Cormac mac Art, otherwise called Corniac ulfada, 
 (long-beard), and although only seven hundred and twenty-one years 
 had elapsed, from the ascension of Cormac, A. D. 254, until the death 
 of Cinnaeth, A. D. 975, it appears, that in his days the palace no 
 longer existed, and the hill had become a desert, overgrown with grass 
 and weeds. This gave occasion for the moral reflection with which the 
 author commences his work. 
 
 This poem is preserved in the O'Clerys' Book of Invasions. 
 
 2. A poem of ninety-six verses, beginning "■ Su7i6 b'ei|-it) 6c( rniftiednmctfi," 
 " Here of the Easa's if we explain." This gives the popular account of 
 the origin of the name of Rath Easa, in Meath. 
 
 3. A poem of seventy-six verses, beginning " Qlcclill poft dice Cectmaifi," 
 " Acaill, near to Tarah," upon the origin of the name of Dumha Earc^ 
 near Tarah, in Meath. 
 
 4. A poem of fifty-two verses, beginning " ■?[)! ym ct B^itjj fnic '^liioig," 
 " There is the palace of the son of Anoig." This poem gives the origin 
 of the names of the palace of the son of Anoig, Inbher Colpa, &c. 
 
 5. A poem of seventy-two verses, beginning " bd he\^ mdiyi bonrt mndili," 
 " If bloom be given to women," upon several remarkable women of 
 antiquity, and places called after them. 
 
 These poems are all inserted in the Dinn Seanchas ; a perfect copy of 
 which is in the possession of Sir William Betham, and an imperfect copy 
 in the Book of Leacan, and another in possession of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary. 
 
 6. A poem, beginning " bo ItjS Olioll lyii) cdiUiij," " OlioU fell in the 
 wood." This poem gives the names of places where several of the Irish 
 kings and heroes died. A copy of it is preserved in a vellum MS. belong- 
 ing to William Monck Mason, Esq. written in the year 1487, and another 
 copy is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 Ixiv 
 
 A. D. 980. 
 
 Lxxxix. Mac Giolla Caoimh, a poet, flourislied in the time ol' Brian 
 Boroimhe and of Cian, son of Maolmhuaidh, chief of the Eugenians of 
 Cashel, king of south Munster, and son-in-law of Brian. This poet 
 lived for some years after the battle of Clontarf, fought on Good Friday, 
 in the year 1014. We have met with but two poems ascribed to this 
 author. 
 
 1st. A poem of forty-four verses, beginning "Uatfndft cm oibce dtiocc,'" 
 " Dreadful the night, this night." It is the lamentation of the poet after 
 Cian, Brian, and his son Morogh. 
 
 2d. A poem of one hundred and eight verses, beginning ")?ciic f?aitlec(o 
 Ctj/ic y Cian," '' Raithlean's Rath of Core and Cian," upon the deserted 
 state of Rath Raithlean and other Palaces, after the death of Core, Cian 
 and other Momonian princes. 
 
 These poems are preserved in the Pedigrees of the spreading Branches 
 of the Stock of Heber, in the Munster Book, in possession of the As- 
 sistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 984. 
 
 xc. Eochaidh O'Floinn, a celebrated poet and historian, died this 
 year. He wrote several poems in his native lauguage, which are pre- 
 served in ancient MSS. of great respectability, particularly the Books of 
 Glendaloch, Ballimote, and Leacan, the Dinn Seanchas, Book of Inva- 
 sions, Keating's History of Ireland, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 The followina: are the most remarkable and best known of this author's 
 works : 
 
 1. A poem of two hundred and twenty-four verses, interlined with a 
 Gloss, upon the Invasion of Ireland, by Partholan, giving an account of 
 the place from which he first set out for Ireland j the places he stopped
 
 Ixv 
 
 at in his passage ; ihe period at which he arrived in Ireland ; the chief 
 persons that accompanied him in his expedition ; the invasion of the 
 Fomorians ; the number of their ships and people; and the battle of 
 Magh Ith, fought between them and Partholan's people. This poem 
 begins " pdftrolcdi, Ccincty- caiwcc," '' Partholan, from whence came he." 
 It is inserted in the O'C'lerys' Book of Invasions, in possession of the 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 2. A poem, interlined with a gloss, one hundred and four verses, on 
 the colonization of Ireland, first by Ceassar, and again by Partholan, 
 2:ivin£: an account of the times in which both these colonies arrived in 
 Ireland, the number and names of Joughs and rivers discovered in Ireland 
 in the time of Partholan, and the death of the entire colony. This 
 poem begins " Ql coemd cl^ CT,r)t> coeifn^eing," " Oh ye learned of the 
 plain of mild and generous Conn." It is to be found in the O'Clerys' 
 Book of Invasions already mentioned in different places of this ac- 
 count. 
 
 3. A poem of twenty-eight verses, upon the division of Ireland 
 betweeen the four sons of Partholan, marking the places where the 
 boundaries of each met. 
 
 This poem begins " Ceaijiaji rode ha. gjtiBod, gloft," " Four sons, who 
 were fierce, clamorous." It may be found in the first volume of Doctor 
 Keating's History of Ireland, published by Barlow, in its original lan- 
 guage, with a literal translation by the late Mr. William Haliday, a 
 young gentleman of extraordinary talent, whose early death is an irre- 
 parable loss to Irish literature. 
 
 4. A poem of sixty-eight verses, giving the names of the Druids, 
 Artists, &c. that accompanied Partholan to Ireland. 
 
 This poem begins " f^o bo wait <ii) rnr^riziji fnoi^i," " Good were the great 
 family." It is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 5. A poem of fifty-six verses upon the destruction of Conaing's tower, 
 and the battles fought between the Fomorians and Nemethians. 
 
 This poem begins " Cogail zr,^ Cojjuins ^^ "5oil>" " Destruction of the 
 tower of Conaing by valour." It is inserted in the O'Clerys' Book of 
 Invasions. 
 
 ts
 
 Ixvi 
 
 6. A poem of one hundred and ninety-six verses, interlined with a glos*. 
 In this poem Eochaidh mentions the creation of Adam, and the time that 
 elapsed from that era to the time that Ceassar is said to have landed 
 in Ireland; the number of years that expired between the universal deluge 
 and the colonization of Ireland by Partholan; and the interval between 
 the destruction of the Partholanian colony, by the plague, and the arrival 
 of Nemeth. He then gives an account of the Nemethian colony, of their 
 coming from Scythia, and their passage to Ireland; and recounts the 
 number of their ships, and the names of their leaders. The transactions 
 of the Nemethians after their landing in Ireland are then related; such as 
 the clearing of several plains, by cutting down the timber with which the 
 country was overgrown ; the discovery of lakes and rivers; the hardships 
 and oppression they suffered from the Fomorians ; the battles they fought 
 with them, and the destruction of Conaing's tower; the return of part 
 of the colony to Greece, and the emigration of another part into Britain, 
 under Britan, the bald, from whom that country is said to derive its 
 name. 
 
 This poem begins " ei;<e oil 0Tjri6»iir '^do^b\],^' " Erin grand, where rule 
 the Gaels," It is preserved in the Book of Invasions, by the O'Clerys, 
 and in other MSS. in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 7. A poem, with an interlined gloss, beginning " hCjie co nutiill co niot)- 
 Tictib," " Eire, by excellence and force of arms." A copy of this poem, 
 containing seventy-two verses, without a gloss, is in the Book of Invasions, 
 inserted in the Book of Leacan, fol. 11, column 2. There is another 
 copy in the O'Clerys' Book of Invasions, accompanied by a gloss inter- 
 lined, but in this copy there are only sixty verses. 
 
 8. A poem of sixty-eight verses, giving the names of the principal 
 leaders that came with the sons of Melisius to Ireland, and also the names 
 of the places where several of them died. 
 
 This poem begins " CoiY-fccb rid 10105^1 6cJ;t \ej\," " Chiefs of this fleet 
 across the sea." An entire copy of this poem is preserved in the Book of 
 Leacan, fol. 12, col. 2, and ascribed to Eochaidh O'Floinn. In the 
 Book of Invasions, by the O'Clerys, an extract is given from this jjoem, 
 which they attribute to Flann of Bute.
 
 Ixvii 
 
 9. A poem of seventy-two verses, with an interlined gloss, upon the 
 accession of Sobbairce and Cearmna Fionn to the throne of Ireland,. 
 A. M. 30i.5, the partition of the island between them, and upon the 
 raths or forts erected by them, or that were called after them ; particu- 
 larly those of Diin Sobhairce, now called Carrickfergus, in the North, 
 and Diin Cearmna, now Kinsale, in the South of Ireland. 
 
 This poem begins " but) Sobaijice, 6it(o fluctj lin," " Sobhairce's Fort, 
 shield of a numerous host." It is preserved in the Book of Invasions 
 by the O'Clerys, and in the Book of Leacan, fol. 15, col. 3. In 
 the first of these MSS. the taxi is accompanied by a copious gloss, 
 without which it could not be easily understood. In the last-mentioned 
 MS. the text alone is given. 
 
 10. A poem of three hundred and twenty-eight verses, with an inter- 
 lined gloss, upou the Invasion of Ireland by the sons of Golamh, or 
 Milesius, and the kings of his race, who governed Ireland from the first 
 landing of the Milesian colony,. A. M. 2935, to the time of Aengus, 
 {OUmhuchach, or Ollhhuadhach (All-extinguishing, or All-conquering), 
 in A. M. 3150). The name of each king is recited, an account given 
 of the plains cleared by them, of the lakes that sprung up, and the 
 rivers that began to fiow in their times, and of the battles in which they 
 were engaged. 
 
 A copy of this poem is given by the O'Clerys in their Book of In- 
 vasions. It commences " Ccyib oe,- eccM ciiSin6," " Hearken ye 
 people of delightful wisdom." There is another copy in the Book of 
 Leacan, fol. 14. col. 2. but this copy wants the Gloss, and contains only, 
 three hundred and twelve verses. 
 
 11. A poem of one hundred and eighty-eight verses, with an interlined 
 gloss, giving an account of the building of the palace of Emania, in 
 Ulster, (now Ardmagh) by Cimbaeth, king of that province, A. M. 3596 • 
 the kings that ruled there, from the time of Cimbaeth to the reign of Conor 
 Mac Nessa, cotemporary with our Lord Jesus Christ, and from the death, 
 of Conor, to the destruction of Emania by the three Collas, immediately, 
 after the battle of Achadh-leith-dearg, in which they defeated and slew 
 FerguK fogha, king of Ulster, A. D. 331. It also gives the names of tlie- 
 provincial kings of Ulster, who became monarchs of Ireland. 
 
 1
 
 Ixviii 
 
 This poem is given by <he O'Glerj's in their Book of Invasions, 
 and in the Book of Leacan, fol. 16. col. 1. This last copy has no 
 Gloss. The poem begins " Gmr,i) ^obr\^c aibinb," " Well armed, delight- 
 Rmania." 
 
 12. A poem of fifty-six verses, giving the names of the twenty-five 
 sons of Ugaine Mor, or Hugony the Great, monarch of Ireland; an 
 account of the partition of the country between them, and the districts 
 that fell to the share of each son. 
 
 This poem begins " Ugoine, uccllac, <xmj\tx," " Hugony, learned, illus- 
 trious." It is to be found in the Book of Leacan, fol. 16, col. 4, and in 
 the O'Clerys' Book of Invasions. 
 
 13. A poem of seventy-two verses, which gives the names of the fifteen 
 kings that reigned over the province of Ulster, from the time of Cim- 
 baeth to that of Conor, son of Nessa, and the number of years that 
 each king reigned; speaks of the building of Emania, and the number 
 of kings that reigned there from the time of Conor, son of Nessa, to 
 the destruction of that palace by the three Collas, sons of Eochaidh 
 Doimhlein, and grandsons of Cairbre Liffeachar, monarch of Ireland. 
 
 This poem begins " Cmhaet, clerce noc n Cmntt," " Cimbaeth, protector 
 of the poets of Emania." It is preserved in the Book of Invasions, 
 inserted in the Book of Leacan, fol. 16. col. 3. 
 
 14. A poem of two hundred and thirty-two verses, on the creation of 
 the world ; the names and ages of the Patriarchs who lived before the 
 general deluge ; the building and dimensions of Noah's ark; the deaths 
 of Noah and his sons ; the building of the Tower of Babel ; the confusion 
 of languages, and the settlement of Niui,l, son of ¥en\vs Jursaidh, in 
 Egypt. 
 
 This poem begins " Qiia\n cede cofnps nifne," " Father of all who 
 measurest the heavens." A very ancient copy of this poem is to be found 
 in a vellum MS. the property of Sir William Betham, and another copy 
 on vellum, written in the 13th century, is in the collection of the As- 
 sistant Secretary. 
 
 There is another poem that by some persons is attributed to this author, 
 beginning " Hlig oci loc ^n locf <t ieaf," " King of lakes, this southern
 
 Ixix 
 
 lake ;" but it is by others, perhaps more properly, ascribed to Flann of 
 Bute. It is to be found in the Dinn Seanchas. 
 
 A. D. 990. 
 
 xci. Tighernach the Annalist, under the year 990, records the death 
 of Urard Mac Coise, in these words, " Ufi£i;i6 mac Coiye p|<im ecccj- 
 5cioi6il 6'ecc :df\ mhucx\6 tlit/iijemoiiie <t ccluctin meic noi|-," " Urard Mac 
 Coisi, the first learned of the Gathelians, died, after great penance, in 
 Cluain-macnois." He wrote 
 
 1. A poein beginning " ClOoely-eclrtin f inyed/i '^<io^bl\,''^ " Maolseachlaiun, 
 elder of the Gael, or Gathelians." 
 
 2. A poem of eighty-eight verses, upon the death of Sean Fergal 
 O'Ruairc, king of Conaght, who was killed A. D. 961, by Congalach, 
 lord of Breagh and Cnoghba in Meath. 
 
 This poem begins " h^\6na.i: oUttm bei-f 5 )ii," " Sorrowful the poet 
 after his king." It is to be found in the collection of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary. 
 
 3. A poeni) beginning " OOd/itctin br,z n. ^OJi<^\f^b peil," " May you live, 
 Oh generous lorard," is ascribed to this author ; but as it is addressed to 
 himself, it is more likely it was written by some of his cotomporaries. 
 
 The Four Masters, under the year 1023, record the death of an Erard 
 Mac Coisi ; but from the poem on the death of Fergal O'Buairc^ ahove-i 
 mentioned, written immediately after the fall of that king in 964, when 
 the writer must have been a man of full age, it would appear the Erard 
 of the Four Masters, and the Urard of Tighernach, were two distinct 
 persons. The Erard who died in Anno 1023, is said to have been the 
 Secretary of Maolseachlaiun, and was perhaps the author of the poem 
 beginning " CPdodfcclain yiiiyion gcCoibil," which we have above given to 
 the Mac Coisi of whom we are now speaking.
 
 Ixx 
 
 A. D. 1008. 
 
 xcii. The Four Masters, under this year, record the death of Clothnk, 
 son of Angus, chief poet of Ireland in his time. Some poems attributed 
 to him are in the library of Trinity College. 
 
 A. D. 1009. 
 
 xcrii. Mal Suthain O'Carroli,, lord of the Eoganachts of Lough 
 Lein, one of the people (Monks) of Inisfallen, the most learned of the 
 western world, died this year, according to the Four Masters. He is said 
 to be the first writer of the annals of Inisfallen. 
 
 A. D. 1015. 
 
 xciv. Mac Liag, Secretary to Brian Boroimhe, monarch of Ireland, 
 died this year, according to the annals of the Four Masters, who record 
 his death in these words, " CDcic lidcc, .i. COr,^cetXf\zac, mac Gof)cec(;icctic, 
 txpb olltifn e;tetxn6 <J)i can pi) 6ecc," " Mac Liag, i. e. Muirkeartag^h, son of 
 Conkeartach, at that time chief doctor (professor) of Ireland, died." He 
 was author of the following works : 
 
 1. " ledbcCji oifti-i' iX^cif txMldi dft cogcdifi dgcty d/i crfrcdb Ciflionb," " A 
 book of Chronologv and Annals on the wars and battles of Ireland." This 
 book, notwithstanding its title, is confined to an account of the battles of 
 Munster, during the time of Brian Boroimhe. A fine copy, written in 
 1710, by John Mac Solly, a celebrated scribe, and native of Cig callctm, 
 or Stickallen, near Slane, in the county Meath, is in the collection of 
 the Assistant Secretary.
 
 Ixxi 
 
 2. A Life of Brian Boroimlie, An extract from tliis work was given 
 by the late General Valancey, in the first edition of his Irish Grammar. 
 
 3. A poem of one hundred and sixty verses, beginning " bi mac dedc 
 60 cijj oCbdy," " Twelve sons descended from Cas," upon the descendants 
 of Cas, son of Conall Each luafh, king of Munster, A. D. 366. 
 
 4. A poem of thirty-two verses, beginning " b^ mctc beag Cbineiftic 
 C1J16," " Twelve sons of chaste Cinneide," giving an account of the 
 twelve sons of Kennedy, father of Brian Boroimhe. 
 
 These poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary, in the 
 hand-writing of John Mac Solly, mentioned above. 
 
 5. A poem of forty-four verses, beginning " ?l Ch\ri-cof\ab cc(i6i 6ftian," 
 " Oh Cinn-coradh, where is Brian," upon Cinn-coradh, the palace of 
 Brian Boroimhe. 
 
 This beautiful and pathetic poem was written by Mac Liag, after the 
 death of Brian, in which the author laments the loss of that hero, and 
 other illustrious chiefs that used to resort to his hospitable mansion. It 
 is preserved in the library of John Mac Namara, Esq. in a volume of 
 very valuable poems, collected in the Netherlands in the year 1650, by 
 Nicholas, alias Fergal O'Gara, a friar of the order of Saint Auo-ustine 
 who, after finishing his studies in Spain, returned to Ireland, where he 
 was highly respected, and in the days of Cromwell left his native land 
 with many others, and retired to Lisle. Another copy is in the collection 
 of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 6. A poem, beginning " Qh^an ccJinicc zr,z\m 6^idir)," " Westward came 
 the fall of Brian." 
 
 7. A poem of twenty verses, beginning " Ipabd Celt ^iit) aiBnej-," " Long 
 to be without delight." This short poem was written by the author when 
 he had retired to Itiye gall, (the Hebrides) after the death of Brian 
 Boroimhe ; and in it he bitterly laments his absence from Ceann-coradh, 
 and his want of the pleasures lie was there accustomed to enjoy. 
 
 The two last-mentioned poems are in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary, in the hand-writing of John Mac Solly. 
 
 The Four Masters, in recording the death of this writer, give two 
 ranns, which they say were the first and the last that were written by 
 him.
 
 Ixxii 
 
 First Rami : 
 
 " COr,j\cCj\zd<: becc mdc mctil cec(;it;ctc. bdl dc lotijdine net mbo 
 ^[^e &■(■ in6;tc(ic ndc dy lomldic. Cab^ i-geatittb pmbjittip 60.' 
 
 Last Rami : 
 " /Jl cItjcc dcct 1 ci)i6 md&ai/ic. 60 cij- w oeccdic ccCjtdicc 
 go 6or)e C(X 60 61W5 bccng. d^ 6ic ycinced;! drj yaUij." 
 
 A. D. 1020. 
 
 xcv. About this time Donogh, son of Brian Boroihme, carried on a 
 dispute witli lorard, or Erard Mac Coise, Secretary to the monarch Maol- 
 seachloinn, in which Donogh endeavours to shew that his father and the 
 Munster troops were superior to Maolseachloinn and his followers. A 
 poem, of one hundred and ninety-two verses, upon this subject, ascribed 
 to Donogh, has come down to our times, a copy of which is in the col- 
 lection of the writer of this account. It begins " p;te50ift tr\e\f\, <x fnic 
 Coif 1 !" " Answer me, Oh Mac Coisi." 
 
 A. D. 1023. 
 
 xcvi. The Four Masters, under this year record the death of Erard 
 Mac Coisi, the chief historian of Ireland, in these words, " e,id;t6 OiDdc 
 Coi|-e ft^ibcftoinicio 11a iigdoibedl 6'ecc bi Ccluair) mac f^Ioiy- i^ toeig bedtct." 
 " Erard Mac Coisi, Chief Chronicler of the Gaels^ died in Ckiain-mac- 
 Nois, after a good life." 
 
 From the similarity of names between this author and the Urard Mac 
 Coisi, mentioned under the year 990, and Cluain-mac-Nois being men- 
 tioned as tiie place where both died, some antiquuricins have supposed 
 them to be the same person. But this is improbable, though not impossible.
 
 Ixxiii 
 
 Urard Mac Coisi, who, Tighernach says, died in the year 990, was poet to 
 Ferglial O'Ruairc, king of Conaght, who was killed A. D. 961. Urard 
 should be therefore near one hundred years old, if he lived to the year 
 1023, Avhen Erard Mac Coisi died, according to the Four Masters, and 
 Consequently, would be unable to carry on a literary contest with Donogh, 
 son of Brian Boroimhe, which we are assured Erard Mac Coisi, Secretary 
 to Maolseachlainn, did. These circumstances considered, it may be fair 
 to conclude that they were two distinct persons, and that Erard who died 
 in 1023, was the real author of the poem beginning " COctoil^'ettiloin ^iiifec()t 
 5(toi6eal," attributed to Urard Mac Coise, who died A. D. 990. 
 See A. D. 990. 
 
 A. D. 1024. 
 
 cxvn. Clan O'Lochain, the most learned and celebrated antiquarian 
 and liistorian of Ireland, in his time, was killed in Teathbha this year, 
 according to the concurrent testimonies of the annals of Tighernach, Inis- 
 fallen, and the Four Masters. His talents and his virtues were so highly 
 appreciated by his countrymen, that he was made joint regent of Ireland 
 with Corcran Cleireach, (a clergyman) after the death of Maolseachlainn. 
 He was autlior of the following much esteemed pieces : 
 
 1. A poem of one hundred and eighty-eight verses, beginning " Cea- 
 roaifi zoi,a «ci ruulac," " Tarab, choice of hills," upon the splendor of 
 the royal palace of Tarah, in the tin>2 of Cormac Mac Art, monarch of 
 Ireland, A. D. 2.50. 
 
 A copy of this poem is given in the Book of Invasions, by the O'Clerys, 
 and other copies are in the Dinn Seanchas, in an old vellum MS. be- 
 longing to Sir William Betham, and in the Book of Leacan. 
 
 2. A poem of one hundred and forty-eight verses, beginning " Qipn 
 din idodf dn rede, i,- me dn ro leocain laibedc,"' " Oh praiseworthy nsan, 
 who closest the house, I am the poetic O'Lochan," upon the royal rights 
 and privileges of the monarch and provincial kings of Ireland.
 
 Ixxiv 
 
 Copies of this poem are preserved in the Book of Leacan, in an ancient 
 vellum MS. the property of Sir William Betham, and in the collection, 
 of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 3. A poem of fifty-six verses, beginning " Sa.en <i\m SiDOd fdigid udim," 
 " Noble name of Shanon, hear from me," upon the origin of the name 
 of the river Shanon. 
 
 This poem is to be found in the copies of the Dinn Seanchas, in the 
 Book of Leacan, fol. 188, col. 2, in Sir William Betham's large vellum. 
 MS. and in the Assistant Secretary's collection. 
 
 A. D. 1030. 
 
 xcviii. CuMAKA, son of Mac Liag, chief poet of Ireland, died this, 
 year. We are not able to say where any of his works are now to be 
 found. 
 
 A. D. 1041. 
 
 xcix. Tighernach, the annalist, records the death of the son of Ainm- 
 
 niRE, a judge, this year, in these words: '^COa.c'^Umip.e'^lj\bb]\e]t)omQlnb^ 
 Amacd, ccAf zr^ie eolaif e^iiorj 6|cc," " The son of Ainmhire, chief judge 
 of Ardmagh, and flood of knowledge, or science, of Ireland, died." 
 
 We cannot, at present, point out where any of this author's Morks are 
 to be found. 
 
 A. D. 1048. 
 
 c. Cennfaoladh O'Cuill, ollamh (professor) of Munster, died this 
 year. He wrote a poem of one hundred and sixty verses, beginning 
 ^'Ceac -fu^kt) t)rt boftcjta rt Of/^b tidjt," " House of rest, of sorrow in the west,"
 
 Ixxv 
 
 on the death of Eogan (Owen) grand nephew of Brian Boroimhe, who 
 was killed in a battle fought in Ossory, in the year 1027. 
 Copy in the library of John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1050. 
 
 CI. Coleman O'Seasnan flourished about this time. He was author of, 
 Ist. a poem of three hundred and twenty-eight verses, beginning " Cl(iJi6 
 oUamdnrdifle edmna," " Children of poets, the nobles of Emania," on the 
 palace of Emania, and the Christian kings and nobles of Ulster. 2d. A 
 poem, beginning " ettnir;n alamb ^fiuf UltJd," " Beautiful Emania, mansion 
 of Ulster," gives an account of thirty-four Ulster kings that reigned in 
 Emania, from the time of its foundation by Cimbaeth to the time of its 
 final destruction. Copies in the Book of Ballimote in the library of the 
 Royal Irish Academy. 
 
 A. D. 1056. 
 
 cii. Flann Mainistreach, or Flann, Abbot of the monastery of Bute, 
 died in the month of December this year. He was author of several 
 poems, of which the following are the most remarkable : 
 
 1. A poem of one hundred and sixty verses, beginning " Gt^z\6, <x 
 eolcd ce» on," " Attend, oh ye learned without reproach," on the deaths 
 of the most remarkable of the Tuatha-de-dannans, and the places where 
 they died. 
 
 This poem is preserved in the Book of Leacan, fol. 28, col. 1. and in 
 the Book of Invasions by the O'Clerys. 
 
 2. A poem of one hundred and forty-eight verses, Avith an interlined 
 gloss, beginning " J^ij Cectfnjict 6ict ze-fbanb oiu," " Kings of Tarah, who 
 were active in life," gives the names of the monarchs of Ireland from 
 
 ni
 
 Ixxvi 
 
 Eochaidh Feilioch, who began to reign A. M. 3922, to the death of Da- 
 thy, at the foot of the Alps, A. D. 428, and also an account of their deaths. 
 
 Copies of this poem are to be found in the Book of Leacan, fol. 24, 
 col. 4, and in the O'Clerys' Book of Invasions. The Leacan copy has no 
 gloss. 
 
 3. A poem of two hundred and eight verses, beginning " J?i5 Cectm- 
 T\a cdofcdjAe irt/i ccctin," " Kings of Tara afterwards joined," giving an ac- 
 count of the names and deaths of the Christian Monarchs of Ireland, 
 from Laogaire, whose reign began A. D. 429, to the death of Maol- 
 seachlainn the 2d, A. D. 1022. 
 
 Copies of this poem are preserved in the Book of Leacan, fol. 25, 
 col. 1, and the O'Clerys' Book of Invasions. 
 
 4. A poem of one hundred and thirty verses, beginning " COtjiicfft 
 pdzzfid^cc 1)0. ppdiccett^," " Family of Patrick of the prayers," gives 
 an account of Saint Patrick's household, and the names of the persons 
 who filled different offices under him. 
 
 A copy of this poem is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary, Ln 
 the hand-writing of John Mac Solly. 
 
 5. A poem of one thousand two hundred and twenty verses, beginning 
 " ??eibi5 barn <l t)he 6o mm," " Prepare for me, oh God of Heaven," 
 on the emperors, kings, and other sovereigns of the Assyrians, Persians, 
 Grecians, Ronians, &c. from the days of Ninus, to the time of the emperor 
 Theodosius. 
 
 Copies of this poem are preserved in the Book of Leacan, fol. 20, 
 col. 2.; in Sir William Betham's large vellum MS. and in the collection 
 of the Assistant Secretary, 
 
 6. A poem of seventy-two verses, beginning " Qizo. fuvb fencuf nctc 
 v-uctiU," " Here is a history not mean," on the taxes or tributes payable 
 to the princes of Tirconnell, and the subsidies paid by them to their 
 subordinate chiefs. 
 
 An ancient copy of this poem is in the collection of John M'Namara, 
 of Sandymount, Esq. and another in that of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 7. A poem of seventy-two verses, beginning '' Qi hrka,\ji. ttccl rtijt 6o 
 l<l;t," " Oh book, there is on thy page," on the rights and privileges 
 of the kings of Oiligh and Cineal Conaill, the O'Neills and 0'Donells»
 
 Ixxvii 
 
 Copies of this poem are in the collections of the Rev. Doctor O'Brien, 
 professor of Irish in the Royal College of Maynootli ; John M'Namara, 
 of Sandymount, Esq, and the Assistant Secretary of this Society. 
 
 8 A poem of two hundred and thirty-two verses, beginning " ConccU 
 cirjngid cloir)6e ^leill," " Conall, hero of the race of Niall," in praise of 
 Conall Guiban, son of Niall of the nine hostages, who conquered a 
 settlement in Ulster for himself and three of his brothers, Owen, Cairbre, 
 and Banna. From this hero, the district called Tir-Conel, or Conall's 
 country, is named, which anciently comprehended the present counties 
 of Donegall and Londonderry. The bounds of Tirconnel are set out in 
 the poem, and fifty battles fought by Conall in different parts of Ireland, 
 are enumerated. This poem is by some writers attributed to Flann 
 Mac Lonain. 
 
 Another poem on the same subject, and beginning with the same 
 words, written by Giolla Brighide Mac Coinmhidhe, appears in the 
 account of that author's works, under the year 1350. 
 
 A fine copy of this poem is in the manuscript collection of the Rev. 
 Doctor O'Brien, Irish professor in the Royal College of Maynooth. 
 
 9. A poem of one hundred and twenty-four verses, beginning " 21 
 eolcct Con<till ceoldij," " Oh ye learned of musical Conall," on Dalach, 
 Chief of Tirconall, from whose grandson Donald, the noble family of 
 O'Donell derive their name, as they are also called Clann Dalaigh, or .sons 
 of Dalach, from himself. From this poem it appears that Dalach was the 
 youngest of the five sons of Muircheartach, prince of Tirconell, the tenth 
 in descent from Conall Guiban, son of Niall, of the nine hostages. It 
 is shown that Dalach was a man of great wealth, and purchased the 
 chiefry of his tribe from his elder brothers. 
 
 Copies of this poem are in the manuscript collections of the Rev. 
 Doctor O'Brien, and of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 10. A poem of forty-eight verses, beginning " CcCi/ipfte, Cocchctn, CnbX 
 eim," " Cairbre, Owen, active Enna," on the territories or portions of 
 land possessed by four of the sons of Conall Guiban, son of Niall of the 
 nine hostages. The boundaries of each son's land is set out, and the 
 names of their several districts given. This poem is also attributed to 
 Giolla Brighde Mac Coinmhidhe.
 
 Ixxviii 
 
 Copies in possession of the Rev. Doctor O'Brien, and of the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 11. A poem of one hundred and eighty verses, beginning " CnO., bctlcct 
 Ctti/tpjie c;iucHb," " Enna, ward of valiant Cairbre," on the descendants 
 of Fergus, and Earc, tlie daughter of Loarn, king of Scotland. This is 
 by some ascribed to Loughlin, son of Teige og O'Daly. 
 
 Copies in the collections of Doctor O'Brien, and of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary. 
 
 12. A poem of eighty-eight verses, beginning " Cifcij p.e Gondii cdlmct," 
 " Attend ye to valorous Conall," on the dispute between Owen, ancestor 
 of the O'Neills, and Conall, founder of theO'Donell family. 
 
 Copies of this poem are in the collections of Doctor O'Brien and the 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 13. A poem, beginning " ?lc£t f r)i6 ftrlldb rxi /1105," " Here is a cata- 
 logue of the kings." 
 
 14. A poem of fifty-six verses, beginning " I6i;< gac obafji ^gjiiobdy, «xv) 
 roanac 1o|-elinu|-," " Between every work that the monk Joceline writes." 
 This poem is on the family of the O'Donells, whose great ancestor Conall 
 as Joceline tells us, in the 138th chapter of his Life of St. Patrick, re- 
 ceived a particular blessing from our Apostle. 
 
 Copy in the manuscript collection of the Rev. Doctor O'Brien, and in 
 that of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 Some of these last- mentioned poems are, by some writers, ascribed to 
 Giolla Brighide Mac Coinmhidhe, and, by others, to Fergal Mac an 
 Bhaird, who lived long after the time of Flann. 
 
 See Mac Coinmhidhe, under the year 13^0. 
 
 A. D. 1064. 
 
 cm. The Blind O'Lonan, chief poet and historian of Munster, died 
 this year, according to the Annals of the Four Masters. We are not, 
 at present, able to say where any of his works are to be found.
 
 Ixxix 
 
 A. D. 1065. 
 
 CIV. DuBiiDALEiTHE (Dudley), Archbishop of Ardmagh, died this year. 
 He was a man i» so high estimation, that in the year 988 he was ap- 
 pointed successor to St, Patrick and St. Columb Kille, by the general 
 consent of the people of Ireland and Scotland. In the year 1050, he 
 made a circuit of Cineal Conaill, and obtained three hundred cows from 
 the people of that country. He wrote Annals of Ireland, to his own time, 
 which are quoted in the Ulster Annals, under the years 962 and 1021, 
 and by the Four Masters, under the year 978. 
 
 cv. At this period flourished Donnchuach O'Fuathghaile, a Cleric, 
 who wrote a poem giving an account of the children of Adam and Eve, 
 of Noah and his sons, and of the tribes or nations sprung from each. 
 The poem consists of three hundred and ninety-two verses, beginning 
 ** I^ettiij 6am d be 6o jjim," " Prepare for me, oh God of Heaven." 
 
 Copy in the Books of Leacan and Ballimote, and in the collection of 
 the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1067. 
 
 cvi. Tigernach, in his Annals under this year, records the death of 
 MoROGH O'Cairthe, a writer of Conaght, in these words, " COopcbct rCL 
 Ccii;t;i ajxb bjtaei dg^f <ijt6 ollam Coridcc bo b<ita6 a loc cdlgdid," " Morogh 
 O'Cairthe, Arch Druid, and Chief Professor of Conaght, was drowned in 
 Lough Calgaidh." The word b;idi in this passage, deserves the attention 
 of those who assert that Druidism was the established religion of Ireland, 
 before the introduction of Christianity. A fact which others deny, and 
 which cannot be proved from the use of the word b^ni, or b/tdoib, which' 
 means only a Sage, a Wise Man, a Philosopher, a Magician or Sorcerer.
 
 Ixxx 
 
 A. D. 1072. 
 
 cviJ. GiOLLA Caoimhghin, a celebrated poet and historian, died this 
 year. He was author of the following poems ; 
 
 1. A poem of one hundred and seventy-two verses, beginning 
 " gctedal 5laj- o c^i6 gdeitiil," " Gaodal green, from whom Gathelians 
 sprung." 
 
 This poem gives the names of the ancestors of the chief line of the 
 Gaels, from the dispersion at Babel until their arrival in Spain. Copies 
 of it are to be found in the Books of Ballimote and Leacan, in the library 
 of the Royal Irish Academy, and in the Book of Invasions, and other 
 ancient MSS. in possession of the Assistant Secretary. One of these is 
 collated with some other copies, and the various readings marked in the 
 margin. 
 
 2, A chronological poem of six hundred and thirty-two verses, begin- 
 ning *' Ci/iiu tti;t6 inif T)tt ftij," " Noble Eire, Island of Kings." 
 
 This poem commences with an at-count of the first colonization of 
 Ireland, and gives the names of the monarchs, and the number of years 
 that each reigned \intil the coming of Saint Patrick, in the reign of 
 Laoghaire, A. D. 432. This was one of the principal documents on 
 which O'Flaherty founded his technical Chronology. 
 
 Six copies of this work are in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 One of them is on vellum, transcribed by Adam O'Cianan, a famous 
 scribe, in the year 14.50; and another, collated with other copies, and 
 the various readings noted, with a view to publication. Copies are also 
 in the Books of Ballimote and Leacan. 
 
 3. A poem of one hundred and fifty-two verses, beginning " Qlcd f un6 
 po/ibct ped^d," " Here is the finishing of information," on the Christian 
 kings of Ireland. 
 
 This poem is ascribed to Conaing O Maolconaire, by O'Flaherty, and 
 others. — See Conaing O'Maolconaire. 
 
 - 4. A poem of one hundred and ninety-two verses, beginning " Ql eolca 
 t^nea1) cii;t6e," " O ye learned of illustrious Krin," gives the names and 
 number of Milesian monarchs that reigned in Ireland, shewing from 
 which of the sons of Goiamh each king was descended, and which of
 
 Ixxxi 
 
 them reigned alone, or were joined with others in the government. It 
 also gives the names of the kings who ruled in Ireland, of the Fir Bolg 
 and Tuatha-de-Danan race. 
 
 Copies of this poem are in the hands of almost every Irish scholar. 
 There are six copies in the collection of the Assistant Secretary, some of 
 them written on vellum, and of great antiquity. 
 
 5. A chronological poem of two hundred and twenty verses, beginnino- 
 " ?ln6dlcii6 cwall r,le,'" " All the annals down." 
 
 The time of this poem commences with the creation, and is carried 
 down to the year 1072, when the author wrote. The poet divides his 
 chronology into diiferent *ras, and gives the names of several memorable 
 persons who lived in each period. 
 
 There is a line copy of this poem preserved in an ancient vellum MS. 
 in possession of Sir William Betham, and another old copy in the collec- 
 tion of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D., 1088. 
 
 cviii. TiGERNACH, Abbot of Cluaiu-mac-nois, died this year. He wrote 
 annals of Ireland, from the reign of Cimbaeth, king of Ulster and 
 monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3596, to his own time. These annals are 
 partly in Latin and partly Irish, and were continued by Augustin M'Grath 
 to the year of Christ, 1405, at which time he died. A copy of the Annals, 
 and the continuation, are in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. 
 Another copy, with the continuation to the year 1163, is in the manuscript 
 collection of John M'Naniara, of Sandymount, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1100. 
 
 cix. About this period flourished Maol Iosa, a Divine, who devoted 
 his pen to the service of religion. Two poems only of this author's works
 
 Ixxxii 
 
 have come under our observation. The first consists of fifty-two verses, 
 beginning " 21 mo c6\mb\r nctm coimeft,*' " O my God, who art my pro- 
 tector."— In this poem the author begs of God to keep him from sin. 
 The second poem is an exhortation to keep the fasts prescribed by the 
 Church. It begins, " bid /^deine rji lon^u6;' " No feasting on Fridays." 
 
 These poems are preserved in a fine vellum manuscript in the library 
 of William Monck Mason, Esq. and copies are also in the collection of 
 the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ex. About this time also lived Maelmuire O'Moirin. A hymn, com- 
 posed by him in his last sickness, is preserved in a beautiful vellum 
 manuscript, written in the year 1561, in the library of William Monck 
 Mason, Esq. It consists of forty-eight verses of an uncommon mea- 
 sure, beginning " 'Slilin) mo t>hia," " I beseech my God." 
 
 CXI. Cotemporary with the two last-mentioned authors was William 
 O'Hanley, who, like them, employed his time and talents in the service 
 of God and religion. A hymn, consisting of fifty-two verses, in the same 
 measure as that of Maelmuire O'Moirin, is preserved in the library of 
 William Monck Mason, Esq. and also in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary. It begins " '21iIto d) C;tir/<," " I beseech the Trinity." 
 
 A. D. 1136. 
 
 cxn. Tanaidhe O'Mulconaire, a celebrated historian and poet, died 
 this year. He was author of the two poems following : 
 
 1. A poem of forty-eight verses, beginning " pi/ibolg baza^ ■frr)ba fea\,'^ 
 " The Firbolg they were here a while." 
 
 This poem treats of the Firbolg, who possessed Ireland before the arrival 
 of the Tuatha de Danan, and whose posterity remained in possession of a 
 great part of the island, until after the introduction of Christianity. It 
 gives the names of their kings, the number of years that each king 
 reigned, and the places where they died.
 
 Ixxxiii 
 
 2. A poem of forty-four verses,^ beginning " Cuacd be (DcDicHrj po 6ic(- 
 roccifi," " The Tuatha de Danan were obscure." 
 
 This poem gives the names of the seven kings of the Tuatha de Danan 
 race, who ruled Ireland for a period of one hundred and ninety-seven 
 years. It also mentions the arrival of the Milesians in A. M. 2935. 
 
 Copies of both these poems are to be found in the Book of Invasions, 
 by the O'Clerys, in possession of the Assistant Secretary, and a copy of the 
 latter poem is in the Book of Conquests, or Invasions, preserved in the 
 Book of Leacan, fol. II, col. 3, in the library of the Royal Irish 
 Academy. 
 
 In the Book of Ballimote, fol. 18, a. col. 2, this writer is called 
 Tanaidhe O'Dubhsailech. 
 
 cxiii. Neide O'Maolconaire, another historian, of the same family as the 
 foregoing writer, died this year, according to Tigernach's continuator. 
 We have not met with any of his works. 
 
 A. D. 1138. 
 
 cxiv. CucHONACHT O'Daly, of Mcath, said by the Annalists to have 
 been the best poet of Ireland in his time, died this year. We are unable 
 to say where any of this author's works are to be found. 
 
 cxv. In this year also died Auliffe mor M'Firbis, Ollamh of Hy Fia- 
 chra. This author was of the family of M'Firbis of Lecan, and probably 
 one of the original compilers of the Record now known by the name of 
 the Book of Leacan. 
 
 A. D. 1143. 
 
 ex VI. GiollaModhuda O'Cassidy, otherwise called Dall Clairineach, 
 Abbot of Ardbraccan, in Meath, died this year. He was a very learned 
 
 n
 
 Ixxxiv 
 
 man, a well-informed historian, and a famous poet. Of the works of 
 this author three poems only have come down to our times, all of which 
 are on the history of Ireland. 
 
 1. A poem, beginuiiio- " Cijtiu 05, ijiij- net iidom," " Sacred Erin, Isle of 
 
 Saints," gives a catalogue of the Christian monarchs of Ireland, from the 
 
 •reign of Looghaire, .4. D. 428^ to the death of Maoilseachlainn the 
 
 Second, A. D. 1022. It also gives the number of years that each king 
 
 reiirncd. 
 
 Four copies of this poem, some of them of great antiquity, are in the 
 MS. collection of the Assistant Secretary. They vary in the immber of 
 their verses from three hundred and fifty-two, to three hundred and sixty- 
 eight. The concluding rami of one of these copies shews that the 
 number of verses of which it was originally composed, was three hundred 
 and sixty. 
 
 " beic jionii occmojcib udim, 
 
 ■Jliftmim ceji po;iCjiab cen pell 
 bo -co^b^^OX) z\\er\ C^ienb." 
 
 " Ten ranns*, and eighty from me 
 Of the ranns in the poem of Kings, 
 I number without excess, without falsehood, 
 That fell the mighty of Erin." 
 
 2. A poem of two hundred and four verses, containing a catalogue 
 of the monarchs of Ireland, shewing how many kings of each name 
 governed the country. It begios " Cr^be&f cornctnmdnb iia ^115," '" Becom- 
 ing the synonima of the kings," 
 
 An ancient copy of this poem, on vellum, is in the collection of Sir 
 William Betham ; and another, transcribed in the year 1610, is in the 
 collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 3. A poem consisting of three hundred and seventy-four ranns of irre- 
 gular verses, beginning " ?l6aiD den ttitlifi net nbtteine," " Adam only 
 
 * Each rann consists of four verses.
 
 Ixxxr 
 
 father of men," is to be found in the Book of Leacan, fol. 198, a. col. 1. 
 The last rann but six, gives the year 1147 as the time in which the poem 
 was written; and the last rann but one says it was written by GioUa 
 Modhuda of Ardbracken. The general opinion is, that Giolla Modhudai 
 died in 1143, and if so, the date mentioned in this copy must be erro- 
 neous. There is a copy of this poem in a very ancient vellum manu- 
 script in possession of the Assistant Secretary, but as it wants a few 
 ranns in the latter end, the date cannot be ascertained by it. 
 
 This poem gives the names of the wives and mothers of the kings and 
 chiefs of Ireland of the Milesian race. 
 
 A. D. 1160. 
 
 cxvn. GioLLA NA NAOMH O'DuNN, died on the I8th of December in this 
 year. He was chief bard to the king of Leinster, and wrote many poems, 
 of which the following have come to our hands : 
 
 1. A poem of three hundred and ninety-two verses, beginning " QliBinb 
 ■f\r) a Ci^tiu cci;i6," " Pleasant that, oh noble Erin," upon the tribes that 
 sprung from the sons of Milesius, and from Lughaidh, son of Ith, and 
 the districts possessed by tiiom. 
 
 Two copies of this poem ave in the liands of the Assistant Secretary, 
 one of them in a very ancient vellum MS, the other transcribed in the 
 year 1712, by John M'Solly, a native of Stickallen, in the county of 
 Meath. 
 
 2. A poem, beginning " Coigecib laijettn m leacz p^og," " Leinster, pro- 
 vince of the tombs of kings," two hundred and eighty verses, gives a 
 catalogue of the Christian kings of Leinster, and the number of years 
 each king reigned. 
 
 Copies of this poem are preserved in the books of Leacan and Balli- 
 mote. -'" 
 
 3. A poem of one hundred and twenty-eight verses, beginning " QUji- 
 Smlla a hearotti)).Ci)dca/' -" Qirgiallans, from Eamhain of M.acha,"' giving
 
 Ixxxri 
 
 an account of the chief tribes descended from the three Collas, sons of 
 Cairbre Liflfeachair, monarch of Ireland, -vho was killed at the battle of 
 Gabhra Aichle, a small distance to the N. E. of Tara, in Meath, A. D. 
 296, after a reign of seventeen years. 
 
 A copy of this poem, in the hand-writing of James Maguire, A. D. 1708, 
 is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 4. A poem of two hundred and ninety-six verses, beginning " pioricKC 
 ■j-edncdibe ffej\ Fpdil," " The historians of the men of Fail (Ireland) 
 testify," gives a catalogue of the Christian kings of Conaght. 
 
 5. A poem beginning " ?l cojgeab cdin Cai/tpjte cjtuai6," O beautiful 
 province of hardy Carby." 
 
 This poem is by some ascribed to Brogan, who flourished A. D. 526. 
 
 6. A poem beginning " Cjxuaca Cor)<icz j\at co fictii," " Cruachan of 
 Conaght, a fortress with prosperity," two hundred and ninety-six verses, 
 on the Christian kings of Conaght. It was written in A. D. 1150. 
 
 This poem is by some, perhaps more properly, ascribed to Torna O'Mul- 
 conaire, who flourished A. D. 1310. 
 
 Copy in the Book of Ballimote, fol. 37, b. col. 1. 
 
 cxviii. About this period also, flourished Aodh Ollabhar O'Carthach, 
 chief poet of Conaght. He was author of a poem, consisting of sixty-four 
 verses, beginning " Qiza fut)6 foidji va. pi j," " Here are the privileges of 
 the kings," on the rights and immunities of the M'Dei-motts, princes 
 of Moy-Luirg. 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A.D. 1170. 
 
 cxix. Maurice O'Regan, a native of Leinster, was employed by Der- 
 mod Mc. Morogh, king of that province, as his ambassador to Strongbow, 
 Bobert Fitz-Stephen, and others of the English nobles^ to solicit their
 
 Ixxxvii 
 
 aid in the recovery of his kingJom, from which he had been expelled by 
 Roderick O'Coiior, king of Conaghl, c*iui other Irish chiefs, for having 
 forcibly carried off Dervorgilla, ihe wife of Tighernan O'llourke, and 
 daughter of Maolseag.ilainii, king of Meath. He wrote, in his naiive ]an- 
 guai,e, a history of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, from the year 
 1168, to the siege of Limerick, in 1171. This was translated into French 
 verse by a gentleman, his cotemporary, from which a version was made 
 into Knglis.h by Sir George Carew, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. 
 This latter translation is the tirst tract in Harris's Hibernica, published 
 in Dublin, 1770. 
 
 A. D. 1197. 
 
 cxx. The Annals of Munster record the death of Giolla Patrick 
 O'HuiDHiR, or O'Heidhir, a famous poet, on the I6th of December, 
 this year. He was superior of the convent of Inisfallen, and founder 
 of many religious houses. We are not at present able to say where any 
 of his works are to be found. 
 
 A. D. 1220. 
 
 cxxi. About this period flourished Conor O'Kelly. He was author 
 of a metrical History, or Pedigree, of his own Tribe, the O'Kelly's, chiefs 
 of Hv-Maine, an ancient district, now comprehended in the present 
 counties of Galway and Roscommon. Rev. Charles O'Conor^ in his 
 catalogue of Irish MSS. in the Marquis of Buckingham's library at. 
 Stowe, mentions a copy of this poem preserved in No. 16, fol. 62, of that 
 collection..
 
 Ixxxviii 
 
 A. D. 1240. 
 
 cxxii. EoGHAN, or Owen M'Craith, son of Donogh mhaoil (the Bald), 
 flourished at this time. He was author of the following pieces : 
 
 1. A poem of forty-four verses, in answer to tlie poem No. 14 of 
 Donogh mor O'Daly's works, beginning " Sgt;^ bob biomuy d 6T7ne." 
 M'Craith's poem begins " Z^^eoJb f.oz <l pi/t nd buttiUe," " Plough before 
 thee, oh man of pride." 
 
 2. A poem in dispraise of the flesh, consisting of fifty-two verses, be- 
 ginning " Oilpm^t; 5<t)) ceiU tin colttn," " A beast without understanding 
 is the flesh." 
 
 Fine copies of these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary. 
 
 A. D. 1244. 
 
 cxxiii. DoNOGU MOR O'Dalv, Abbot of Boyle, a famous poet, who, for 
 the sweetness of his verses, was called the Ovid of Ireland, died this year. 
 He was author of many poems, of which the following have come within 
 our notice : 
 
 1. A poem of forty-eight verses, in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
 beginning " 6r,tDe t/^i-r;;^ fncltai|i rnic be," " Nurse of three, mother of the 
 son of God." 
 
 2. A hymn addressed to the Blessed Virgin, beginning " ?l Jirtofn OiDbr^/ie 
 <l fi[)dt(ti)t be," " O Holy Mary, O mother of God." •. Sixty verses. 
 
 3. A hymn of one hundred and eighty-four verses, addressed to the 
 Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, beginning " COctjitcliri bTjc d cjtoic <iT) 
 Choimbe," -' Hail to you, Oh CVoss of the Godhead." 
 
 4. A poem of seventy-six verses, on the vanity and instability of human 
 life, beginning " Ofz bo i^eafdf a i-dojal," " On thee I relied, O. world."
 
 Ixxxix 
 
 5. A poem of one hundred and forty-four verses, on the goodness of 
 Godj and the merits of our Redeemer, beginnhig " bm bono jzeicedm ct(|< 
 ppedug r)5e/' " God be my defence against the wrath of God." 
 
 6. A poem of one hundred and forty-four verses, on the neglect of 
 Reh'gion, the punishment that attends the irreligious, and the necessity 
 of Penance, begins " Cttnuc ceo -ajt cl») cc/»ei6earn," " A cloud has come 
 over the Faith." 
 
 7. A poem of one hundred and twenty verses on tlie death of a person 
 of the name of Aongus, shewing that he was only lent for a while front 
 God to the world. It begins " "Sliji ict.^clcc puctftttj- 'Jlonguj-," " On a 
 loan 1 had Angus." 
 
 8. A penitential hymn of one hundred and twenty verses, beginniiig 
 " 'Jlit/tibe yuT) hmz tt 6e," " Repentance here to thee. Oh God." 
 
 9. A poem of one hundred and forty-eight verses, in praise of (5ie 
 Blessed Virgin Mary, beginning " pT^jeclU beiXridcz bjlu COr;j\e" " Pro- 
 mise of a Blessing, the womb of Mary." Thisjs sometimes attributed to 
 Giolla Brighide M'Coinmhidhe. 
 
 10. A prayer to the Deity, forty verses, beginning " C;(ei6im 6u\z d 6e 
 mme," " I believe in thee. Oh God of Heaven." 
 
 11. A poem of sixty-eight verses, on the necessity of reflecting that 
 we must die. It begins " 'St coltti) cugctb dn i)c(j-," " O body, to thee 
 belongs death." 
 
 12. A poem of sixty-four verses, in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
 It begins " Clu ncCc ccticedfi clu COrjjie," " Praise not exhausted, the praise 
 of aiary." 
 
 13. A poem of one hundred and thirty-six verses, in praise of God and 
 the kingdom of Heaven, beginning " biti bo c;tucctib gjnctoBjtrjg mm" 
 " God, who hast created the luminous palace of Heaven." 
 
 14. An exhortation to humility and amendment of life, fifty-two verses, 
 beginning " Sgrj^ 6o6 bfomdj- a b-rjTje," " Cease thy pride, O man." 
 
 15. A poem of twenty-four verses, in which the author declares he has 
 found all his desires in God. It begins " puflftctf micti), on fUAjxaf mid))." 
 " I have found my desire. Oh I liave found my love." This is by some 
 ascribed to O'Daly fionn. 
 
 16. A hynni to the Blessed Virgin Mary, forty-two verses, beginning 
 " Ofl Vict mbctii bciHicectr) nime," " Gold of women. Queen of Heaven."
 
 xc 
 
 1 7. On the Day of Judgment, and the signs by which it is to be pre- 
 ceded, one hundred and forty verses, beginning " S'^1^^ ^'f^S'^ lobncl <tr> 
 5titic(t," " Boisterous arise the arms of Judgment." 
 
 18. A poem addressed to our Lord and the Blessed Virgin, one hun- 
 dred and eighty-four verses, beginning " tocuctij yoilly-e ctig fiol Qlbaim," 
 " Lamp of brightness to the seed of Adam." 
 
 19. On the Day of Judgment, the merits of Christ's sufferings, and 
 the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. This poem consists of two hun- 
 dred and twenty-four verses, beginning " ^^f p<l6<l pdifty-ing pobdl be," 
 " Long extended are the people of God." 
 
 20. Upon our Lord Jesus Christ, two hundred and eighty-four verses, 
 beginning *' "^ahdm ftedcmdb ^ ndSnct," " Let us give tythe of our songs." 
 
 21. Upon the difference between heavenly and worldly riches, eighty 
 verses, begins " bo jniS dTjrje bid 6a mdom," " Man made a God of 
 his riches." 
 
 22. A poem of forty-eight verses, contains a prayer, beseeching grace 
 from God to lead a pious and holy life. It begins " Ce(t5<ti|-5 mei^i a. 
 meic mo "oe," " Instruct me, Oh Son of ray God." 
 
 23. A poem exhorting to penance, thirty-two verses, beginning " Cetoin 
 iu pel)) <x 6ir;ne bofc6," " Weep for thyself, Oh miserable man." This poem 
 is by some ascribed to Mahon O'Heffernan. 
 
 24. On the death and resurrection of the Son of God, two hundred 
 and twenty-eight verses, begins " €nrc\6 j\e m<ijibna}6 fnic be," " Hark ye 
 to the elegy of the Son of God." 
 
 25. A poem addressed to God Almighty, beseeching him for his grace, 
 and begging his mercy, forty-eight verses, beginning " toi;i m'tlfnjct/i a. 
 •Diet biJj," " Help my afHictions, Oh dear God." 
 
 26. A poem, in which the author laments the hardness of his heart, 
 and want of tears for his sins, twenty-four verses, beginning '' Cjiuctg mo 
 iujid-f go loc bedjtg," " Sorrowful my pilgrimage to liough Dearg." 
 
 27. A poem of twenty-four verses, on three that wished for his 
 death, the devil and his imps, and the worms. This poem begins " r^iu;t 
 <tcct dig l)|icii difi mo f>af," "Three there are that expect my death:" 
 Although the name of Donogh mor O'Daly appears on some of the 
 
 -copies of (his poem, there is reason to suspect that he was not the 
 
 author.
 
 XCl 
 
 28. A poem of forfy-eight verses, beginning " |^1<t if^ei-^ mo cedgafs 
 (i meic," " Fly not from my instructions. Oh son!" an exhortation to 
 Christian piely. 
 
 Cop3' in the library of John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 
 29. A poem of one hundred and twenty verses, beginning " ^titftide 
 ^un i>r,z ct (3be," " Here repentance to thee, oh God !" The poet 
 here acknowledges his sins and his unworthiness, and begs forgiveness 
 and niercy from the Lord. 
 
 30. A poem of one hundred and sixteen verses, beginning " Cjieb agctiB 
 doibtj a. gcein," " What have ye for a long time, oh youths!" on Rickard, 
 son of William de Burgo. In this poem the author says that he is O'Daly 
 of Meath. 
 
 31. A long poem of one thousand two hundred verses, in praise of the 
 power, majesty, and goodness of God. This poem begins " O^o jii^e j\i 
 mine" " My king, the King of Heaven." 
 
 Besides the above, we have seen three other poems attributed to this 
 author, but there are strong reasons that induce us to withhold a belief 
 that they were written by him. 
 
 The tirst of these is a long poem, on the last end of man, but the ver- 
 sification, and the kind of rhyme used in this poem, being but of modern 
 invention, shew it to be the work of a less skilful genius than Donogh 
 mor O'Daly. 
 
 This poem begins " ^l 6r;r)e c-r^mtie 6o Cfiioc beijettncic," " Oh man, re- 
 member (hy last end." We have not seen any very correct copy of this 
 piece ; one of the best has been lately printed in this city. 
 
 The second of these pieces, ><'hich we suppose to be erroneously 
 ascribed to Donogh nior, is a poem of twenty-four verses, inquiring why 
 our Lord Jesus Christ, not being a builder, smith, or other artizan, or 
 labourer, had received honour from some person of the name of Owen. 
 It begins " ?l ^>-^<x Cj\]Ofb Cf\eb <xyi roil, ca bfriXjxoif omi^x 6 eojcdii," " Oh 
 Jesus Cbrist, what is the cause that thou hast received lionor from Owen." 
 
 This little poem wants that gravity, dignity, and sweetness, which so 
 eminently distinguish all the productions of Donogh. 
 
 The third is a poem of seventy-eight verses, on the three sons of Edan. 
 It begins " Cudirje jifogtia jtug eaaTi," " Brood of a queen Edan bore." 
 
 o
 
 Xtll 
 
 This piece, though possessed of much poetic merit, and written in the 
 language of the period in which Donogh lived, is not written in that 
 style for which he was so remarkable. 
 
 Copiesof all these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary, 
 
 A. D. 1293. 
 
 ex XIV. GioLLA losA RoE O'Reilly, Priiicc of East Brefney, succeeded 
 to the government of that principality upon the death of his brother, in 
 the year 1293. By his valour and prudence he was enabled to extend 
 his dominion over all the country from Drogheda to Bath Cruachan, in 
 the present county of Roscommon. In the year 1300 he built and en- 
 dowed the monastery of Cavan, for the Friars de communi vita. In this 
 building he erected a chapel, and a monument of hewn marble as a place 
 of sepulture for himself and family. In the year 1313, EdSvard II. king 
 of England, wrote circular letters to the princes of Ireland, requesting 
 their aid against the Scotch. One of these he addressed to Giolla losa 
 O'Reilly, in the following style: " Rex, S^-c. dilecto s'lhi Gilly^s O^Helly, 
 Diice Hibernicorum de Breifeny, Salutem, <!^'c." In the year 1326 he 
 resigned the government of his principality to his nephew Maoilseach- 
 lainn, son of his eldest brother Mathew O'Reilly, and retired from the 
 cares of the world into the monastery of Cavan, where he died, full of 
 years, A. D. 1330, justly celebrated for wisdom and sanctity, and was 
 interred in his own chapel. 
 
 He was author of some verses on the death of his brother Mathew, 
 beginning " '2( p^ lefl5rty m leac 50 c^iom," " Oh man, who layest the Hag 
 heavily ;" and a poem upon the great power and extent of territory of 
 his nephew Maolseaclilainn, whom he calls his son, as being adopted by 
 him as his successor. 'The poem begins " O'^leill 01I15 pd mo fndc," 
 " O'Neill of Ulster is subject to my son." 
 
 cxxv. Maoilire O'Maolagain (Myler O'Mulligan) flourished during the 
 time that (lioila losa Roe O'Reilly governed the territory an<l tribes of 
 Muintir Maolmordha (^E. Breifne), and celebrated the actions of that 
 chief, in a poem, beginning " bo crama/t di/i cpeic /ie gioUtl lo^d ctncdg," 
 " We went on a hosting with Giolla losa the valiant."
 
 XCUl 
 
 Copies of the poems of Giolla losa and Maoilire, are in tlie regjistry of 
 the House of O'Reilly, in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cxxvi. Tadhg mor O'Higgin, a poet of Conaght, and a cotemporary of 
 the two last-mentioned authors, flourished at the time that Magnus O'Conor 
 was king of that province. He wrote a poem in praise of that prince, con- 
 sisting of one hundred and sixty-eight verses, beginning '' "^ac er) map. a 
 abba,'' " Every bird according to its kind, (literally " according to its nest.") 
 
 A copy of this poem, in the handwriting of Cucoigcriche (^Peregrhius^ 
 O'Clery, one of the Four Masters, is in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1300. 
 
 cxxvii. CoBHTHACH O'Carman, a poet of Leinster, flourished at this 
 period. A poem of this author's production, consisting of two hundred 
 and thirty-two verses, has made its way down to our times. It begins 
 " '21 caema coig 6 Idijecln," " O ye nobles of Leinster province," and gives 
 the names of persons by whose hands fell several of the most remarkable 
 characters in Irish history. It also gives a catalogue of Leinster kings, 
 who became mouarchs of Ireland. An ancient copy of this poem is in 
 the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cxxviii. EoGAN or Owen M'Carith, a Munster poet, flourished at this 
 time. He was author of the following pieces: 
 
 L A poem on the dissentions between the descendants of Teige Coal- 
 uisge O' 13 rien, and those of Brian Roe O'Brien, at the commencement 
 of the fourteenth century. This poem consists of one hundred and fifty- 
 six verses, beginning " Cicc dy ^<s.\j<.be op gdlidb Cifte,''' " Who is the shorter 
 from whom Ireland is seized ;" in which the author endeavours to recon- 
 cile those contending relations. 
 
 2. A poem of one hundred verses, beginning " Cede cd^ctift 6o cir 
 polafn," " To see the house of a friend vacant," on the deserted mansion 
 of Conor O'Brien. 
 
 Copies in the collection of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 XCIV 
 
 A. D. 1310. 
 
 cxxix. The Rev. Charles O'Conor, in his Catalogue of Irish MSS. in 
 the Marquis of Buckingham's library at Stowe, gives an account of Torn* 
 O'Maolconaire, chief poet of Couaght, who attended at the inauguration 
 of Felim O'Conor, on the Hill of Carn Fraoich, where he delivered his 
 poetic address to Felim, beginning " irat ojic it pheitJlime," " On thee 
 be activity, Oh Felim." 
 
 Doctor O'Conor says that Torna was also the author of a poem, upon 
 the succession of Conacht kings, beginning " Cjwidco. Cowcc jtclc co jiait," 
 " Cruachan of Conaght fortress with prosperity." 
 
 The poem beginning " Cif cib fie ^encuy nc(c ^uaiU," " Hear ye a story 
 not contemptible," is said to have been recited by Torna, at the resto- 
 ration of Felim O'Conor, A. D. 1315, and from this circumstance the 
 poem was supposed to be composed by him for this occasion. We have 
 shewn already, under the year 468, that this poem forms a part of the 
 Book of Rights, said to be written by Saint Beinin. 
 
 The two first-mentioned poems, attributed to this author, we have not 
 seen, but we know that a poem beginning like the second, " Cfiuctcct 
 Condcc fictt CO ftait," is to be found in the Book of Balliniote, fol. 37, 
 b. col. 1. This poem consists of one hundred and ninety-six verses, 
 giving a catalogue of the Christian kings of Conacht, and tlie length of 
 their reigns, written by Giollana naomh O'Dunn. 
 
 See under the year 1160. 
 
 A. D. 1314. 
 
 cxxx. CoNAiNG O'Maolconaire, chief poet of Couaght, died this 
 year. He was author of many poems, of which two only have come under 
 our observation. 
 
 1. A poem of sixteen verses, beginning " Oct; meic goMifn mn ngctijie," 
 " Eight sons of Golanih, of the shouts," on the eight sons of Golamh, or 
 Milesius, who led the Milesian colony from Spain to Ireland, A. M. 2935.
 
 xcv 
 
 In this poem the birth-place of each of the sons of Golamh is pointed 
 out. Copies of it are preserved in the Book of Leacan, and in the Book 
 of Invasions by the O'Cierys. 
 
 2. A poem of one hundred and forty-eight verses, beginning " Qtctt 
 •fuH po^Sct pedyd," " Here is the completion of knowledge." This poem 
 gives a catalogue of the kings of Ireland, from Laoghaire, who died 
 A. D. 463, to Brian Boroimhe, who was killed at the battle of Clontarf, 
 A. D. 1011. 
 
 Copy in a fine vellum manuscript in the library of Sir William Betham. 
 
 This latter poem is attributed by the O'Cierys to Giolla Kevin, who died 
 A. D. 1072, and by other writers to a Conaing O'Mulcouaire, who died 
 A. D. 1420. 
 
 See under the years 1072 and 1420, 
 
 A. D. 1320. 
 
 cxxxu At this time flourished Cathan O'Duinnin, chief poet to the Ibh 
 Eachuch, of Munster, (the O'Donoghoos, O'Mahonys, &c.) He was the 
 author of the Ode delivered at the inauguration of Teige, the generous 
 O'Doiioghoo, prince of Lough Lein. This ode consists of three hundred 
 and sixty-four verses, containing the pedigree of tlie O'Donoghoos, with 
 their filiations for twenty-seven generations, from Core, son of Luigheach, 
 king of Desmond, A. D. 380, to Teige the Generous, A. D. 1320. 
 
 This poem is contained in the Book of Munster, a copy of which is in 
 the collection of the Assistant Secretary. It begins " Cif^ig ;^e coib)ied|- 
 brfi cccic," " Hear the affinity of your tribe." 
 
 cxxxii. About this time flourished Maolmuire O'Leannain. He was 
 author of a poem, consisting of one hundred and seventy-two verses, 
 against adultery, the sins of the flesh, &c. beginning " peccdc ttft -{il r)c(;t 
 ^luctgutCiB," " Sinful our seed in our people." 
 
 Copy in an ancient vellum manuscript, in the library of Sir William 
 Betham.
 
 XCVl 
 
 A. D. 1348. 
 
 cxxxiii. Malachv Mac Aedha, Archbishop of Tuain, dicti on iJie 
 least of Sahit Laurence the Martyr, this year. He was author of a large 
 volume of miscellaneous matter in Irish, containing, amongst other things, 
 a catalogue of Irish kings, from Niall Naoighiallach to Roderick 
 O'Conor. Sir James Ware, in his account of Irish writers, says, it was 
 extant in his time, and called the Book of Mac Aodha. We can not say 
 where it is to be found at present. 
 
 A. D. 1350. 
 
 cxxxiv. Angus roe O'Daly, a noted poet, died this year. He was 
 author of the following poems, and most likely of others that have es- 
 caped our observation. 
 
 1. A poem of one hundred and ninety-two verses, on the erection of 
 the castle of the hill of Cam Fraoich, by Aodh, son of Eogan O'Conor, 
 A. D. 1.309. It begins " <(o zu ci|^if tt f^aic Cbectm)iac," " Art thou again 
 revived, oh fort of Tarah." A fine copy of this poem is in the library of 
 John Mac Namara, Esq. a member of this Society. 
 
 2. A poem of one hundred and ninety-two verses, addressed to llory, 
 son of Aodh O'Mulloy, chief of the territory of Fearcall, a district of 
 the ancient kingdom of Meath, and now comprehended in the baronies 
 of Fercall, Ballyboy, and Ballycowan, in the King's county. It begins 
 " Cectngttl 60 ^-lot ;tiom <t r?u<ti6f<i," " Conlirm thy peace with me, oh 
 Rory." 
 
 It appears from this poem, that the author was of the Tribe of O'Daly 
 of Meath, and that he had incurred the displeasure of O'Molloy, by some 
 words that fell from him in a state of intoxication. He beseeches that 
 prince to pardon his offence, begs that he will imitate Fergus, son of 
 Roigh, in forgiving those by whom he had been offended, and calls upon 
 him to spend his wrath upon the English, the plunderers of his native 
 country.
 
 XCVll 
 
 A fine copy of this poem is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary to 
 this Society. 
 
 3. A poem of four hutulred and forty-eight verses, beginning " 'Jlbdm, 
 dcai/t, -fftut Af\ "fludj," '' Adam, father, stream of our people." The first 
 two hundred verses are on the patriarchs, to the deluge, the remaining- 
 verses treat of the first colonies that possessed Ireland before the Milesians. 
 
 This poem is sometimes ascribed to Angus Ceile De, of whom we 
 treated under the year 800, but the language does not justify us in giving 
 it so early an origin. 
 
 Copies of this poem are in the library of William Monck Mason, Esq. 
 and in the manuscript collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cxxxv. GioLLA Brighfdk Mac Coinmhide, (Conway) a poet of Ulster, 
 flourished at this period. He was a retainer of the house of O'Donnell, 
 and devoted the most of his verses to the praise of that illustrious family. 
 The following pieces of his composition have descended to our days. 
 
 1. A poem of one hundred and twenty-eight verses, beginning '' Cowll 
 CYjngib clctiiie j^leill," " Conall, hero of the race of Niall," on the settlement 
 of the Conallians in Ulster, and of Maolseachlainn, son of Donall, the 
 brown O'Donell. 
 
 We have seen, under the year 1056, that Flann of Bute wrote a poem, 
 beginning with the same words as this poem, treating of the same family. 
 
 Copies in the collections of the Rev. Doctor O'Brien, and of the As- 
 sistant Secretary. 
 
 2. A poem on the same subject^ beginning " ^oja net cloinfte ^leiU," 
 " Choice of the sons of Neill." 
 
 3. A poem of one hundred and sixty-eight verses, beginning " f^ojd tid 
 clombe Concdll," " Choice of the sons of Conall," in praise of Brian, son 
 of Donald O'Donell, prince of Tir-Conell. 
 
 A fine copy of this poem is preserved in a very valuable volume of 
 Irish historical poems, collected in the Netherlands in the year 1656, by 
 the Rev. Nicholas, alias Fergal JmM (the black) O Gara, an Augustinian 
 Friar. This volume was once the property of O'Daly of Dunsandle, but 
 now belongs to John M'Namara, of Sandymount, Esq.
 
 xcvm 
 
 4. A poem on the birth of Donald, son of Donald O'Donell, prince of 
 Tir-Couell, ninety-six verses, beginning " (Do pb'ijx bid Coiel CoiaiU," 
 " God considered the Kineal Conali (descendants of Conall) /'. e. the 
 O'Donells. 
 
 Copy in the library of John M'Naniara, Esq. 
 
 5. A poem on Aodh O'Conor, beginning" " bedfirndb ho fC^ha-f ttig 
 ?lo(3," " By forgetfulncss I neglected Aodh;" one hundred verses on ihe 
 hospitality of Aodh, son of Felini O'Connor. Copy in the library of 
 John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 Copies of the foregoing poems are also in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary, in an imperfect paper copy of the Leabhar hua Congabliala. 
 
 6. A poem of ninety-six verses, beginning " ^Icct funfy •fea^iLuf COraw" 
 " Here is the history of Moain," on Moain, son of Muireadhach, grand- 
 son of Niall of the nine Hostages, by his son Eoghan, or Owen Moain 
 was brother to Muirceartach, who was Monarch of Ireland from A. D. 513 
 to A. D. 583, and who from his mother Eire, daughter of Loam, king of 
 the Dalriada of Alba, was called Muircheartach Mac Earca. From Moain 
 are the Ciueal Miiam descended, one of the principal families of which 
 were the O'Gormly'.s, for whose chief, Niall O'Gormly, this poem was 
 written. 
 
 Copy of this poem is in O'Gara's collection of poems, in the library of 
 John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 
 7. A poem of one hundred and sixteen verses, beginning " (Dean Oftm 
 C;iocc(ine d tf<iond\6," " Have mercy on me, O Trinity." In this poem, 
 which is composed in that kind of poetry called S^ah^id, the author begs 
 for several particular blessings from the Holy Trinity, one of which is, 
 that he may not be left without children. 
 
 An ancient copy of this poem is in the Lands of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 The poem beginning " Ccufipfte, ecccba>i, Ciia eifn," and some other 
 poems on the O'Donells, which we have ascribed to Flann Mainisfreach 
 under the year 1056, are sometimes, and perhaps with more truth, attri- 
 buted to this author. 
 
 cxxxvi. At this time also flourished Aodh, or Hugh O'Kelly, author 
 of a poem, consisting of eighty-four verses, on his own tube, beginning 
 " Cipig d cciUtJiipe ir) pig," " Arise, Oh proclaimers of the king."
 
 XOIX 
 
 Copy of this poem is preserved in an ancient vellum manuscript, once 
 the property of the O'Kellys, now in possession of Sir William Betham. 
 
 A. D. 1310. 
 
 cxxxvii. Tadiig Camchosach O'Daly flourished about this period. 
 He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. A poem of one hundred and sixty verses, on the inauguration of 
 Niall mor O'Neill, beginning " Oectn ajl jjccitei/ije Cijie," " A woman 
 recovering is Erin." 
 
 2. A poem of one hundred and sixteen verses, on his choosing to be- 
 come a friar, begins " t)ct j/^db b^pa^huf Ci/tin," " For its love I left 
 Erin." 
 
 Copies of these poems are in the collections of John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 and of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1372. 
 
 cxxxvni. John O'Dugan, chief poet of O'Kelly of Ibh Maine, died 
 this year. He was author of the following valuable historical and topo- 
 graphical pieces. 
 
 1. A poem of five hundred and sixty-four verses, beginning " '2[cd 
 fu-nb yettncuf jifog Cjlectrib," " Here is a history of the kings of Erin." 
 This poem gives a catalogue of the kings of Ireland, from Slainge of the 
 Fir-Bolgian race, who, conjointly with his four brothers, Gann, Gean- 
 nann, Seangan, and Rudhraidhe, sons of Deala mac Loich, began to 
 reign over Ireland, A. M. 2245, to Roderick O'Conor, son of Turlogh 
 the great, who held the reins of government in Ireland at the Anglo- 
 Norman invasion, A. D. 1168. 
 
 Copy in the library of Sir William Betham, and in the MSS. of the 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 P
 
 2. A topographical and historical poom, of eight humlrod and eighty 
 verses, beginning " CuictUctm timcertll net po^lrt," " Let us go around 
 Fodhla, (Jrelaud)." This poem gives the names of the principal tribes 
 and districts in Meath, Ulster, and Conaght, and the chiefs wlio pre- 
 sided over them, at the time Henry the Second, king of England, was 
 invited to this country by Dermod Mac Morogh, king of Leinster. 
 
 From the first line of this poem, and from the few ranns that this author 
 lias left us, on the districts of the province of Leinster, it would seem, 
 that it was his intention to have given a complete account of all the dis- 
 tricts and chief tribes in Ireland ; and it would be a cause of much regret 
 that he left unfinished so interesting a work, if it had not afterwards been 
 taken up and completed by his cotemporary, Giolla ua naomh O'Huidhrin, 
 who died an old man, in the year 1420. 
 
 The work of O'Huidhrin has been sometimes joined to O'Dugan's 
 poem, so as to appear but one entire piece of one thousand six hundred 
 and sixty verses, and the merit of the whole is given to the latter, though 
 he really wrote but thirty-eight ranns, or one hundred and fifty-two verses 
 on Meath ; three hundred and fifty-four verses on Ulster ; three hundred 
 and twenty-eight verses on Conaght ; and fifty-six verses on Leinster, 
 making in all eight hundred and eighty verses. For the account of the 
 ancient families of LeathMogha (Leinster and Munster) we are indebted 
 to O'Huidhrin. 
 
 See O'Huidhrin, under the year 1420. 
 
 Copies of this poem are numerous, but few of them are perfect. The 
 copy used by the author of Camhrensis Eversus nuist have been incom- 
 plete, or he has not translated it fully. A complete copy, in the hand- 
 writing' of Cucoigcriche O'Clery, one of the Four Masters, is in the col- 
 lection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 3. A poem of two hundred and twenty-four verses, beginning" J^fog- 
 firtib Icligedfl c\.ar\ Cdcdoift," " Kings of Leinster, descendants of Cathaoir," 
 on the families descended from the thirty sons of Cathaoir mor, monarch 
 of Ireland, from A. D. 174, to A. D. 177. 
 
 A copy of this poem is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 4. A poem of two hundred and ninety-six verses, beginning " Cc(i]riol 
 cdtai/^ clajjcl CPho5«t/' *' Cashel, seat of Mogha's sons," giving a catalogue
 
 CI 
 
 of the kings of Casliel, and the years that each prince reigned, from its 
 foundation by Core, son of Luigheach, about A. D. 380, to Torlogh 
 O'Brien, A. D. 1367. 
 
 A fine copy of this poem is in the Book of Ballimote, fol. 36, a. col. 2, 
 and another in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 5. A poem of tliree hundred and thirty-two verses, beginning " Ceam^ 
 Tjd pioj ;tixit; Co/tmaic," " Tara of the king's fortress of Cormac," gives an 
 account of the battles and principal actions of Cormac mac Art, monarch 
 of Ireland, in the middle of the third century. 
 
 A line copy of this poem, beautifully written on vellum, is in the 
 library of Sir William Betham. 
 
 6. A poem, beginning " OhaSah fo folu^ tt 6ctr," " This year bright 
 its dye," upon the festivals of the year, with practical rules for finding 
 the moveable feasts and fasts, by the Epacts, Dominical Letters, &c. 
 
 Copies of this poem are in the hands of every Irish Scholar, and its 
 Rules are frequently quoted by hundreds of persons who never learned a 
 letter. 
 
 7. A poem of two hundred and ninety-two verses, beginning " pojtuj- 
 pocdl lrdi6cea;t lib," " A knowledge of words spoken by you." This poem 
 is a vocabulary of now obsolete words, and words which, though spelled 
 alike, have different, and often contrary meanings ; all of which are 
 inserted in the Irish-English Dictionary lately published by the Assistant 
 Secretary to this Society. 
 
 Copies of this poem are to be found in the library of Trinity College ; 
 in Sir William Betham's large vellum MS. ; in the collection of John 
 Mac Namara, of Sandymount, Esq. and in that of the Assistant Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 A. D. 1373. 
 
 cxxxix. Adam O'Cianan, or Keenan, a famous historian and canonist, 
 died in Lisgoole this year, according to the Four Masters. We have not
 
 cu 
 
 met any of his original works, except the pedigrees of a few Northern 
 families ; but there are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary two 
 volumes on vellum, transcribed by him in very fine writing. These 
 volumes contain a number of historical tracts, both verse and prose ; a 
 copy of the ancient laws relating to the clergy, poets, and artists ; an 
 Irish- Latin Grammar, &c. &c. 
 
 About this period the Annalists record the deaths of many famous 
 historians, poets, scribes, and lawyers, with whose works we are not at 
 present acquainted. 
 
 A. D. 1318. 
 
 cxL. John OTialan, Chief Poet of Henry, son of Owen O'Neill, 
 Prince of Tirone, died this year. He was author of the Ode pronounced 
 at the inauguration of Henry, one hundred and eighty-eight verses, be- 
 ginning " prc(;<aY rid/t^did Cifte," " Thou hast obtained thy request, oh 
 Erin." From the two concluding ranns of this poem, it appears that 
 Judith, the daughter of Mac Mahon, prince of Oirgialla, was the wife 
 of Henry O'Neill. 
 
 A fine copy of this poem is to be found in O'Gara's collection, in the 
 library of John Mac Namara, Esq. and another in that of the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1380. 
 
 cxLi. At this time flourished Mahon O'Reilly, Lord of Clan Mahon, 
 and father of Thomas O'Reilly, who succeeded his un jle Philip as Prince 
 of East Breifne, A. D. 1.38i. He was author of a poem in praise of the 
 mighty actions of his son Thomas, who, in a short period, levelled eightc-en 
 castles belonging to the English of the Pale, and laid the country, from
 
 • « » 
 
 cm 
 
 Drogheda to Dublin, under contribution. The poem begins " grl gcnll- 
 PQ 0-f cioii gdiU," " The cry of an English sprite over Englishmen." 
 
 Copy in the Registry of the House of O'Reilly, in possession of the 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cxLii. About this period flourished Mac Craith M'Gowan, who wrote 
 genealogies of the Irish Saints, and of the kings and princes of Ireland. 
 A copy of this work is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1385. 
 
 cxliii.Tanaidhe O'MA0LC0NAiRB,son of Paitricin mor, son of Tanaidhe^,. 
 died on the 1st of August this year. He was a poet of Conaght, and his 
 works are much praised by some of his cotemporaries, and by subsequent 
 writers. We are not, at present, able to say where any of them are pre- 
 served. 
 
 A. D. 1387. 
 
 cxEiv. Geoffrey fionn O'Daly, chief professor of poetry in Munster, 
 died this year. He was author of the following pieces: — 1. A poem of 
 fifty verses, beginning "Cioijuy &iolptX6 mo luctc leigiy," " How shall I pay 
 the price of my cure," on the benefits derived by man, from the merits 
 of Christ. Copy with John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 
 2. A poem of two hundred and twenty-four verses, beginning " ptt 
 ngniomftdb mectfcdfi mctc ^liog," " By deeds is the son of a king valued," 
 on Dermod, surnamed of Muskery, son of Corniac, son of Donald Mac 
 Carthy. 
 
 S. A poem of forty-eight verses, beginning " Ql pi/t tei6 i uui/t Chonctill," 
 " Oh man, Avho goest to Tir-Conell," addressed to O'Donell, Conor son 
 of Aodh, (Huirh) son of Donald oge. 
 
 Copies of these poems are in the collection of the Assistant )Secretary>
 
 . 4. A poem of one hundred and forty verses, beginning " CO<tir An tocc 
 <ii^6;ii5 oige," *' Forgive the fault, Oh youthful king," addressed to 
 Donald, son of Donald Mac Carthy, exciting him to oppose the English, 
 and holding up as a pattern Conn Cead-Cathach, (of the Hundred Bat- 
 tles) who forsook Lis youthful sports, and flew to rescue Tarah from 
 the yoke of Cathaoir mor, king of Leinster. 
 
 Copy in O'Gara's collection of poems, in possession of John Mac 
 Naniara, Esq. and in a very fine collection of Poems in possession of the 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1390. 
 
 cxLV. At this period flourished Maolmdire Mac Craith, poet of 
 Desmond, or South Munster. He was author of an Elegy on the death 
 of Donald Mac Carthy, chief of the Clann Carthy of Carbery. This poem 
 consists of one hundred and forty-four verses, beginning " Oectjiz: cli^ie 
 <tft Cifii)) ecc ;ti5," " A load of sorrow to Ireland, the death of a king." 
 
 Copy in the manuscript collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cxLvr. At this period also flourished Solamh O'Droma, or Solomon 
 O'Drum, one of the compilers of the great Book of Ballimofe, now in 
 the library of the Royal Irish Academy. 
 
 cxLvii. At this time also lived Magnus O'Duigenan, whose name appears 
 on ditTerent pages of the Book of Ballimote, particularly at fol. 248, at 
 the end of the account of the Argonautic expedition and destruction of 
 Troy, which, it appears, was finished by him in the house of Donald Mac 
 Aodhagan, or Mac Egan, on Thursday before the feast of Saint Michael, 
 but tiie year is not mentioned. We are unable to say whether he wasj 
 the author of this piece or only the transcriber. 
 
 As the Book of Ballimote is so often mentioned in this work, and 
 referred to by almost every writer who has treated on Irish antiquities lor 
 the last lifty or sixty years, the following account of it may be gratilying
 
 cv 
 
 t© some of our readers, or perhaps direct the attention of future wrltars 
 to matters coiitained therein, illustrative of the history of the cuuntry 
 and the manners and customs of the people. 
 
 The Book of Ballimote is a large folio volume, finely written on 
 velSaai of the largei^t size. It originally contained 5.50 pages, very closely 
 writlen, hut the first two pages are at present wanted. It was written 
 at uit^'ercnt times and places, and hy various hands, as appears by the 
 concluding lines of several of the tracts; but the principal part was 
 written by Solomon O'Drum. A part of it was once the property of 
 Manus O'Duigenan, who wrote it for his own use, but afterwards became 
 the property of Tumaltach M'Donogh, prince of Tir-Olioll, Artagh, 
 the two Corans, Tir-Tohill, and Clan Fernmoy, districts now compre- 
 hended in the present counties of Sligo, Roscommon, and Leitrim. 
 Under the patronage of this chief, and in his house, were some other 
 parts of this book written, as appears by a passage at the conclusion of 
 the account of the O'Conor family, at folio 62, a. col. 1. " T ife ivi Coi/i- 
 be\ho.c 05 fw, mcic ?le6d, a-f fti Coidcc cig yc^iiBctb net cobacfO. ban ledha^, c 
 tig CbumdlctJig iioeic Cbctibg, rneic Cbomctlcctij, meic O^Tji^jeayct, fneic boiicabct, 
 fneic Chomalcccig, fneic Choncobdi/t, tneic bbic(;tmcicc(, o Crjleb COeicc biapmacti, 
 a mbdile in muca," " And it is that Torlogh og, son of Hugh, that is king 
 of Conaght, at writing this part of the book, in the house of Tomaltagh, 
 son of Teig, son of Tomaltagh, son of Muirgheasa, son of Donogh, son 
 of Tomaltagh, son of Conor, son of Dermod, from whom are the Mac 
 Dermotts, in Ballimote." Torlogh og O'Conor, began his reign over the 
 province of Conaght in 1384, and died in 1404, so that this part of the book 
 must be written about the year 1390. By a memorandum at folio ISO, a. 
 col. 1, written in a hand-writing diiferent from any other part of the book, 
 it appears that Hugh duff, son of Hugh roe, son of Niall garhh O'Donell, 
 bought it in the year 1522, from M'Donogh of Coran, for one hundred 
 and forty milch cows. Hugh duff O'Donell died A. D. 1537. 
 
 This venerable Repertory of ancient Irish Literature, althougli much 
 blended with fable, contains a vast quantity of valuable and authentic 
 historical matter, drawn from the purest sources ; such as the Psalter of 
 Cashel, the Book of Glendaloch, the Chronological Poems of Eochaidh 
 O'Flinn, Flann of Bute, Giolla Caomhghin, GioUa Modhuda O'Cassidy,
 
 CYl 
 
 tBiolla-na-naomliO'Dunn, John O'Dugan, and otlicr scnacliies of repute. 
 Some parts of it, indeed, are of less estimation ; but even the historical 
 ^ales are not without their value to an antiquarian. The stories of the birth 
 ol" Conor Mac Nessa, and of Cormac O'Cuinn ; the adventures of Cormac 
 in the Land of Promise; the deaths of Crimhthann, son of Fidhaidh, and 
 of the sons of Eochaidh Moighmheodhain, Brian, Olioll, Fiachra, Fergus, 
 and Neill, though mostly fabulous, contain some authentic historical facts, 
 and much matter illustrative of the manners and customs of the people, 
 and of the religious opinions of Pagan Ireland. 
 
 The law tract, commencing at folio 181, is well deserving the attention 
 of the historian and antiquarian. It contains the Rights and Immunities, 
 the Rewards and Punishments due to different ranks in society, ecclesias- 
 tical and civil, from the Bishop down ^o the liaccpeoi/t, or Reader in the 
 Church; from the Ollttm, or Professor, to the pocloc, or lowest rank 
 amongst the poets and learned men ; and from the king to the artizan, 
 or labourer, amonjrst the laitv. 
 
 This book was formerly in the library of Trinity College, Dublin; but 
 when, how, or by whom it was taken from that establisliment, is not now 
 a matter easily to be decided. General Vallancey, in his Green B&ok, 
 which was bought for the Record Commission at the price of one hun- 
 dred guineas, much above its intrinsic value, gives an account of 
 printed books and MSS. on the History of Ireland, in various lan- 
 suaires, and amongst the rest, mentions the Books of Ballimote and 
 Leacan. The General says, that Doctor Raymond, about thirty years 
 ago, lent a manuscript volume out of Trinity College library, to a person 
 of the name of Thady Naghten ; that a man of the name of Egan stole 
 it from Naghten, and gave it to Judge Marlay, whose servant he was ; 
 that it remained in the Judge's library until his death, and then was, by 
 some means, conveyed to the Lombard College in Paris. The General 
 was of opinion that this manuscript was the Book of Leacan, which 
 the Superior of the Irish community in Paris presented to him in 1788, 
 for the Royal Irish Academy, in whose library it now is. This opinion 
 of the learned General is not supported by any authority; on the con- 
 trary, there is the testimony of Abb6 M'Geoghegan, in the Introduction 
 io his History of Ireland, to prove that the Book of Leacan was deposited
 
 cvn 
 
 in the library of (be Irish College at Paris, by James II. after his abdi- 
 cation ; and that the deposit was made in the presence of a Notary, 
 wlio attended for that purpose. But though the book lent by Doctor 
 Raymond to O'Naghten, could not have been the Book of Leacan, there 
 is a probability that it might have been tlie Book of Ballimote. There 
 is at present in the library of Trinity College, a paper copy of the 
 Book of Ballimote, in the hand-writing of Teige or Tliady O'Naghten ; 
 and this is a strong proof that he had the original in his possession. 
 Whether the book was stolen from him, or whether it was ever in the 
 library of Judge Marlay, is not very clear. Indeed there is reason to 
 believe it was not in the Judge's library. There are diiferent memoran- 
 dums on several pages of the book, in the hand-writing of Mr. Thomas 
 O'Dornin of Drogheda, a good Irish Scholar, which shew that it was in 
 his possession in the year 1769 ; and that it remained in his hands until 
 at least the year 1774, appears by a list of Mr. O'Dornin's MSS. now 
 in possession of the writer of this account. Whether it ever made its 
 way to Paris, wliere it is said the late Chevalier O'Gorman obtained it, 
 is not novv necessary to inquire, but we know that it did come into his 
 hands, and that he presented it to the Royal Irish Academy, in the 
 hope, as he himself told the writer of this article, that that learned body 
 would publish some of the useful parts of its contents. 
 
 Dermod O'Connor, the translator of Doctor Keating's History of Ireland, 
 says, in his preface, that he had the Book of Ballimore, in Co. Meath, in 
 his possession for six months, for the safe return of which. Doctor Ray- 
 mond, of Trim, had given his bond to the College for one thousand 
 pounds. It is observable liiat a Book of Ballimore, in Meath, was never 
 so much as heard of by any Irish scholar, but the Book of Ballimote in 
 Co. Sligo, is much celebrated. The innumerable errors in O'Connor's 
 translation of Keating, and the blunder he makes in the name of this 
 book, prove he was unable to make any thing of its contents. His name 
 is introduced here, merely to shew, that though the Book of Ballimote was 
 then in Trinity College, the Book of Leacan was not : otherwise he Avould 
 have taken notice of it, as he had access to the College manuscripts. 
 
 The book wants the tw(t first pages. At folio 2, is an account of the 
 posterity of Cain, Noah, «&c. At folio 4, commences the Book of Syn-
 
 CVlll 
 
 chronisnis, in whicli is mentioned the names of the Patiiaichs, the Assyrian, 
 Persian, Irish, Grecian, and Roman kings and emperors who were 
 coteiHporaries. In this part is introduced Donchuach's poem, " Heibig 
 6ctro d bhe bo mrn." At the end of folio 6, col. 2, are six ranns, giving an 
 account of the different ages of the world. By the last rann it appears 
 that this small poem was written in the year 1126. At folio 6, the syn- 
 clironisms of Fiann commence. At folio 8, begins an account of the 
 first inhabitants of Ireland, in which are introduced several of the poems of 
 our earliest bards. At folio 32, b. col. 2, is an account of the monarchs 
 of Ireland, from Laoghaire, son of Niall, to Roderick, son of Torlogh, 
 «on of Rory na soighe buidhe O'Conor, A. D. 1166. At folio 34, is an 
 account of the Christian kings of Ulster. At folio 35, the Christian kings 
 of Leiuster. At the bottom of this page is a prayer for Manus O'Duig- 
 enan, the owner of the Book. At folio 37, the kings of Conaght, and the 
 length of their reigns, from Amalgaidh, son of Fiachra, son of Eochaidh 
 Mc.ighmheodhain, to Torlogh O'Conor. At 38, the Christian kings of 
 Munster, from Eoghan, son of Deirg, son of Deirgreineadh, to Donald, 
 son of Torlogh, son of Dermod, son of Torlogh, son of Teige, son of 
 Brian Boroimhe. In this account of the provincial kings, several poems 
 of our best historical writers are introduced, a particular account of which 
 is given under their proper dates in the course of this work. 
 
 At folio 39, b. col. 2, are the royal precepts of Cormac Mac Art to his 
 son Cairbre Lilfeachair, monarch of Ireland. 
 
 At folio 43, a. col. I , commences an account of the descendants of 
 Milesius, and first of the O'Neills. At folio 54, account of the Hy Briuin 
 Heremonians, which ends at folio 62, with an account of the O'Conors. 
 At folio 63, a. col. 1, an account of the Hy Fiachra race of Tir-Awly, 
 according to Flann. At folio 64, the clann Colla; at 69, the Hy Maine 
 tribes, the O'Kollys, &c. At folio 70, the Leinster tribes ; at 80, the 
 Conarian race of Ireland and Scotland. 
 
 At folio 87, commences the account of the Ultonian tribes, descen- 
 dants of Ir, son of Milesius, to folio 97, where the Munster Book 
 begins " Eher a quo dicitur Hibertiia.^' Folio 102, b. col. 1, of the 
 Dalcassians; folio 109, b. col. 5, of the race of Lughaidh, son of Ith. 
 
 At folio 113, the Book of the Britons and Picts, from Nennius. At 
 116, account of the Saxons in England.
 
 At folio 117, the mothers of the most remarkable of the Irish saints: 
 and at folio 126, a. col. 2, begins the sacred pedigree of the saints of 
 Ireland, " /*>Ictem fedncdf ndefn iTi^e pctil ;" one hundred and seventy- 
 three ranns, or six hundred and ninety-two verses. 
 
 At folio 131, an account of the Hebrew patriarchs, Moses, the 
 Temple, &c. 
 
 At folio 136, fabulous account of Conor Mac Nessa, and the death 
 of Daithi, the last of our Heathen monarchs. Folio 137, an account of 
 Art Aonfhir, and on the same page, the kings and nobles of Ireland 
 of the same names. 
 
 At folio 140, a. col. 1, the names of the Chiefs of the Athach Tuatha, wh& 
 overthrew the Milesian government in the Krst century ; and on the same 
 folio, b. col. 1, are the wonders of Ireland. Folio 141, the marriage of 
 Luain, and the death of Athairne the poet. 
 
 Some of these latter articles are much tinctured with fable, and more 
 of our ancient historic tales of a similar description, are to be found on 
 every page, to folio 147, where begins the Book of Riglits, fathered on 
 Saint Benin, of which we have given an account under the year 468. 
 
 At folio 154, begins the " Oc(i)ij-ecir)cay Cfiectna," or History of the women 
 of Ireland, giving the names of the wives and mothers of the most 
 remarkable characters in Irish history. 
 
 At folio 157, commences the Irish Prosody, with examples of the dif- 
 ferent kinds of versification. 
 
 At folio 163, a. col. 2, account of the Ollamhs or Fileas, (the Professors- 
 or Poets^ shewing the qualifications necessary for the different orders of 
 poets. 
 
 At folio 167, b. col. 2, commences the Uraicepht and Book of Oghams, 
 to folio 180, where, in a different hand-writing, is an account of the pur- 
 chase of this book from the M'Donogh's, by Hugh dubh O'Donell. 
 
 At folio 181, a. col. 1, begins the Seanchas bheg, a law tract, on the 
 rights, privileges, rewards and punishments of the different ranks of 
 kings, clerics, poets, artizans, &c. At the commencement of this- tract,, 
 there is the following note, in the late venerable Charles O'Connor's hand- 
 writing: " Elements of Law, obscure to me for want of a Law Glossary.. 
 Cctcal ua Co)icoi3ai|u" This is followed by another note, in the hand-writiiig.
 
 ex 
 
 of the late General Vallancey, in ungraramatical Irish, " CigiiiD id6 50 
 mdic mo cct/i^tib. Cdtal rd ijallanj-ei," " I understand them well, my 
 friend. Charles Vallancey." Those who understand the law dialect of 
 the Irish, and have compared with the originals the translations of the 
 fragments published by the General, in the Collectanea de Rebus Hiber- 
 nicis, are able to set a proper value on this boast. 
 
 At folio 188, a. col. 1, commences the Dinn Seanchas, of which we have 
 given an account when treating of Amergin Mac Amalgaidh, under the 
 year 550, where we have shewn that this work was enlarged after the 
 year 1024. Perhaps the Dinn Seanchas in the Book of Ballimote, may 
 be the first edition of that work, in its present form. 
 
 At folio 230, a. col. 1, account of the Argonautic Expedition and the 
 Trojan war, to folio 248, a. col. 2, where, on the bottom margin, is a memo- 
 randum, in the hand-writing of Magnus O'Duigenan, in which he says, he 
 finished writing the story of Troy, on Thursday, before the feast of Saint 
 Michael, in the house of his tutor, Donald M'Aodhagan, or M'Egan, 
 but he does not mention in what year. 
 
 At folio 249, a. col. 1, The Adventures of ^Eneas, &c. after the destruc- 
 tion of Troy, from Virgil, to folio 267, where is, in Irish characters, 
 Finlt, Amen, Finit. Solamh WDroma nomine scripsi/. 
 
 At folio 268, a. col. 1, commences the history of Alexander the Great, 
 according to the Latin author Justin. It continues to folio 275, where 
 it ends, with the conclusion of the Book of Ballimote. 
 
 A. D. 1395. 
 
 cxLvm. At this period flourished O'Maoilciaran, a Conaght poet, 
 author of a beautiful elegy on the death of his son. This very pathetic 
 poem consists of one hundred and seventy-two verses, beginning " ^11506 
 oi;t«e edybrtib fnofi," " A great loss has happened to us." 
 
 Copy in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 cxLix. At this time also flourished Ainglioch O'Donellan, poet to 
 the Mac Dermotts, of Moyluirg. He was author of a poem in praise of
 
 CXI 
 
 Moyluirg and of Aodh, or Hugh, M'Dermott, chief of his tribe. This 
 poem consists of one hundred and ninety-two verses, beginning " Tioyfj 
 leice di;i Coi5ea6 Cboijacc," " The province of Conaght is divided." 
 
 CL. Cotemporary with the two last-mentioned writers, was Owen an 
 tortlioir M'Craith, a Munster man by birth, but attached to the House 
 of O'Neill. He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. On the inauguration of Niall og, son of Niall mor O'Neill, chief of 
 Tiroue, one hundred and eighty-eight verses, beginning " ba ftoiij com^ 
 c/tofna dift Cb/iic jNeill," " Two equal shares on mighty Niall's land." 
 
 2. In praise of Art O'Cavanagh, king of Leinster, who died at Enis- 
 corthy, A. D. 1417, one hundred and sixteen verses, beginning " lomtxx 
 rdi^le 5 ictt Ictigeao," " Many chiefs on Leinster's land." 
 
 3. In praise of Cornmc O'Maoilseachlainn, prince of the clann Col- 
 man, or southern Hy Niall, whose chiefs were called kings of Meath^ 
 one hundred and fifty-six verses, beginning " CDitib Cf<ei6eam bo cloirj 
 J<leiU," " It is time to believe in the descendants of Niall." 
 
 4. In dispraise of the world, eighty verses, beginning " Og m ^eciDoift 
 m f dogixl," " The world is a young senior." 
 
 The first of these poems is sometimes ascribed to Teige og O'Higgin. 
 Copies of all the above poems are in possession of John M'Namara, 
 Esq. and the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1400. 
 
 CLi. SiODHUuADH O'CuiRNiN, a poct of Brcifue, died this year. He 
 was author of a poem on the Life of Saint Maodhog, first Bishop of 
 Ferns, and patron Saint of Leinster. The poem, consists of one hundred 
 and forty-four verses, beginning " Seancay CDhdodoig medSdift lin," " The 
 History of Maodhog let us remember." 
 
 Some copies of this poem are in the MS. collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary.
 
 cxu 
 
 cm. Bladiimac, son of Conbhreatan, son of Congasa, flourished at this 
 time. He was a man in holy orders, but we do not know to what house 
 or family he belonged. He was author of two poems, consisting of up- 
 wards of one thousand five hundred verses, addressed to the Blessed Virgin 
 Mary, upon the principal actions and sufferings of her Son, our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. The first begins " Ccfft cucc(m c( QOhr,j\e boto," " Come to me, 
 Oh holy Mary ;" five hundred and ninety-six verses. The second begins 
 " ?l 0^bdi;te, a. gfiidr) tXjx ccloijie!" " Oh Mary, Oh sun of our people!" 
 
 Copies of these poems, once the property of Michael O'Clery, one of 
 the Four Masters, are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1404. 
 
 cLTii. DoNOGH BAN O'Maolconaire, chief poet of the O'Conors of 
 Conaght, died this year. He was author of a poem, consisting of one 
 hundred and seventy-two verses, beginning " Cij-big a eigy-i Oanhtx" 
 " Attend ye. Oh learned of Ireland." It contains a catalogue of the 
 kings of Conaght, and the number of years that each prince ruled over that 
 province, from Torlogh, son of Roderic the Great, to Torlogh O'Conor, 
 who lived at the time in which this poet wrote. From a rann in this 
 poem it appears that two hundred and thirty-eight years had elapsed 
 from the first year of Torlogh, son of Roderick, to the time in which 
 the poem was written : therefore it must have been composed in the year 
 1374. This is further confirmed by the name of O'Crede, Archbishop 
 of Tuam, being mentioned in the last rann of the poem as being then 
 some time dead. In Ware's History of the Bishops, the death of this 
 prelate is said to have happened in the year 1371, but he is improperly 
 called John O'Grada. 
 
 Copies of this poem are in tlje Book of Leacan, and in the Manuscript 
 Books of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 CLiv. In the same year with the last-mentioned author, died Carrol 
 O'Daly, the poet of Corcamroc. Several of his poems and tales are 
 repeated from memory by the common people of the country ; but we are.
 
 cxin 
 
 not able to say where any good copies of them are to bo found in manu- 
 script. 
 
 CLV. In this year also died Donald, son of Donogh O'Daly, who, 
 from his facility in writing verses, was nick-named D0I5 m bar)<i, (A wallet 
 of Poems). We cannot with certainty say where any pieces of this 
 author's composition are now to be found. 
 
 A. D. 1405. 
 
 cLVi. AuGUSTiN Magradian (Austiu M'Craith), a Canon of the order 
 of Saint Augustin, in the Isle of All Saints, in the river Shanon, died 
 on the next Wednesday after the feast of All Saints, this year. He wrote 
 Lives of some Irish Saints, and continued the Annals of Tioferna^h to 
 his own time. These Annals have been since continued, by another hand, 
 to the year 1571. 
 
 A copy of the Annals is in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, 
 Class H. 
 
 A. D. 1408. 
 
 CLVii. Coll O'Doran, a Leinster man, died this year. He wrote Annals 
 of Ireland, which Sir James Ware says were extant in his time. We 
 are not able to say where they are now to be found. 
 
 A. D. 1415. 
 
 CLviii. Maurice O'Daly, chief poet to O'Reilly, lived A. D. 1415, 
 in which year he, Dermod O'Daly of Meath, and many other poets.
 
 CXIV 
 
 were plundered by Lord Furnival. We know of but one poem now extant 
 ascribed to this author. It begins " ^ul fe'^'^^rS °f *-"^'' b^''^^^^ ^S V^ 
 5ul Toac cctoinim," " A cry of an English hag over English men, that is a 
 cry that I lament not." This poem is, by several writers, attributed to 
 Mahon O'Reilly, Lord of Claim Mahon. It was occasioned by the de- 
 struction of eighteen castles of the English, bordering on Breifne, and 
 the laying the country, from Drogheda to Dublin, under contribution, 
 by Thomas 0'E,eilly, Lord of that part of Breifne called Clann Mahon by 
 descent from his father, and prince of all the districts of East Breifne 
 by consent of the tribes. 
 See under the year 1380. 
 
 A. D. 1418. 
 
 cLix. At this time lived Giolla Iosa M'Firbis, the famous antiquary 
 of Leacan, by whom, with the assistance of others, that valuable trea- 
 sure of Irish Antiquities, called " The Book of Leacan," was compiled. 
 We cannot say what parts of the Book of Leacan were the original 
 compositions of this writer ; but at folio 40, b. col. 2, is given a poem of 
 two hundred and forty verses, beginning " Qi eicj-i OanBd ncc mbectnb," 
 " O ye learned of Ireland, of illustrious descent ;" by the last rann of 
 which we find that Giolla Iosa M'Firbis was the author. And at the 
 bottom of the same page the reader is requested to " pray for M'Firbis, 
 who wrote this Book for generations that will succeed him for ever ; 
 and it was in the time of Rory O'Dowd the Book was written." 
 
 Maoil-Iosa M'Firbis, was also the author of a poem of three hundred 
 and seventy-six verses, beginning " J^eibij btim a bbe 6o rjifn," " Make 
 ready to me, O God of Heaven," giving the synchronisms of the Roman 
 Emperors with the monarchs of Ireland, from Augustus Caesar to the Em- 
 peror Theodosius. 
 
 This poem is to be found in the Book of Leacan, folio 180, a. col. 1. 
 
 CLX. At this time also flourished Adam O'Cuirnin, Historiographer of 
 Breifne. He was the writer of the Book of Conquests, or Invasions, and
 
 cxv 
 
 the Synchronisms of the Assyrian, Persian, and Grecian kings with tho 
 nionarchs of Ireland, and of the nionarchs with the provinciHl kings of 
 Ireland, contained in the Book of Leacan, as appears by a memorandum 
 at the end of that tract, at folio 30, b. thus, " piniu, 21 6am o Cr^jx^n 6o 
 ygjii!) 60 5'11-'^ V'^ ""^'' F^i^^^iS •'• ^'ol-lti''' o pbic(cf.clc, c(i)ot)o' CD" cccc" xTm."' 
 " Finis, Adam O'Cuirnin wrote for Giolla losa M'Firbis, i. e. for the; 
 Professor of Hy Fiachra, A. D. mccccxiii." 
 
 Whether O'Cuirnin was the original compiler of the Book of Conquests 
 and Synchronisms, or merely th(! transcriber of the work from the com- 
 pilations of some other persons, we are not at present able to say. The 
 work, however, is a very valuable document for the History of Ireland; 
 commencing with the earliest account of time, and carried down to the 
 period that Roderick, son of Hugh, son of Cathal Croibhdhearg (red-hand) 
 O'Conor Avas king of Conaghtj and Torlogh, son of Teige, son of Brian 
 Boroimhe, was king of Munster. Turlogh dethroned his uncle Donoijh, 
 and took upon himself the government of Munster in A. D. 1086. 
 
 CLxi. Cotemporary with the two Jast-mentioned writers was Morogh 
 r'labliach O'Cuindilis, and who, like them, was concerned in the com- 
 pilation of the Book of Leacan. We are not able to point out any tracts 
 or poems of the original compositions of this writer; but at the end of 
 the Uraicepht, or Book of Fcrceirtne, at folio 162, b. col. 1, of the Book 
 of Leacan, it appears that he was the transcriber of that tract, and that 
 he wrote it lor iiis friend M'Firbis, to whom he ffives his blessino' in 
 addition. 
 
 The Book of Leacan has been so often referred to of late, and is, in 
 fact, a book of such consequence to all who are desirous of an acquaint- 
 ance with Irish antiquities, that it may be necessary here to give an 
 abridged account of its contents. 
 
 The Book of Leacan consisted originally of six hundred and twenty- 
 four pages, closely written, with a great numler of contractions, on 
 velium of a large size. It was the work of several hands, as appears by 
 the han*!- •. riting. and by the account given of the three last-mentioned 
 writers. Ar present the first nine folios are lost. It beo;ins with that 
 part of the Book of Conquests, or Invasions, that treats of the Firbolg- 
 
 r
 
 cxva 
 
 ?an colony, and continues the History of Ireland down to the twelfth 
 century. In the course of this work are given extracts from the Psalter 
 of Cashel, the Book of Glendaiough, &c. and a great number of 
 historical poems, the compositions of our earliest and most esteemed 
 bards. In it are also introduced the Synchronisms of the Babylonian, As- 
 syrian, Grecian and Roman kings and emperors, with our monarchs, 
 and the synchronisms of our monarchs with our provincial kings. This 
 work forms the basis of O'Flaberty's Ogygia, and from it Doctor Keating 
 extracted the materials for his History of Ireland. 
 
 At folio -58, b. coL 1, is given the pedigree of the Saints of Ireland, 
 in verse* 
 
 At folio 64, b. col. 2, begins an account of the principal families who 
 possessed Ireland at the time of writing the book, with the chiefs who 
 then presided over each, and the filiations of their tribes. This subject 
 continues to folio 148, where the Leabhar Breathnach, or Book of the 
 Britons, commences. This latter book is taken from the British author 
 Nennius. 
 
 At folio 151 begins tlie Uraicepht, in the hand- writing of Morogh ria- 
 bhach O'Cuindilis. 
 
 At folio 163, a catalogue of Saints, and the families from whom they 
 descended. 
 
 At folio 164, a. col. 4, a vocabulary of obscure words. 
 
 At folio 168, a. col. 1, an account of the dill'erent orders of poets. 
 
 At folio 172, a religious poem by St. Cuimin. 
 
 At folio 175, an account of Rochaidh, Feidhlioch, and Meidhbh queen 
 of Conaght, and an account of that province. At that same folio begins 
 an account of the Athach Tuatha, or plebeians, who overturned the 
 established government of the Milesians, at the end of the first century 
 after Christ. 
 
 At folio 180, Giolla losa M'Firbis's poem on the synchronisms of the 
 Roman em[>erors with the monarchs and provincial kings of Ireland. 
 
 At folio 184, commences the Book of Rights, ascribed to St. Beinin. 
 
 At folio 19.3, an account of famous women of antiquity. 
 
 At foiio 198, a poem of three hundred and seventy-four ranns, giving 
 the names of the wives and mothers of the monarchs and kings of Ireland,
 
 cxvu 
 
 At folio 203, begins the ZedJj| ^mmetxc, or Munster Book, giving an 
 account of the descendant of Heber, the eldest son of Milesius. Thi.s 
 contains a great quantity of interesting matter relating to the history of 
 Minister. 
 
 At folio 221, Etymology of Irish proper names, in alphabetical order. 
 
 At folio 224, Account of the kings of Conaght from the time of Olioll 
 and Meidhbl; to Brian, son of Eochaidh Moighmheodhain. 
 
 At folio 231, The ieaJ>^ b\T} yerfncdij', or History of remarkable Places 
 in Ireland, giving an account of the derivation of their names. This 
 tract wants somethir.g in the beginning, but a perfect copy of it is in the 
 Book of Ballimole, aiul another in Sir William Bethara's large Irish 
 manuscript. 
 
 At folio 264, Account of the Creation of the World, of the Patriarchs, 
 &c. tracing the ancestors of the Milesians, from Adam to their settle- 
 ment in Egypt, and afterwards through Scythia, Spain, &c. to Ireland. 
 This continues to the end of the book, at folio 312. 
 
 This last-mentioned tract may be considered as another leah^ "^ahalay 
 or Book of Conquests, and a great number of poems, from our best 
 authors, are given as authority for the facts related therein. 
 
 The Book of Leacan was once the property of Trinity College, from 
 the library of which it was taken, by order of James II., brought to 
 France, and deposited by him in the archives of the Irish College at 
 Paris, in the presence of a notary, who attended for that purpose, as 
 we are assured by the Abbe Mac Geoghegan, in the Preface to his History 
 of Ireland. In the year 1787, through tlie influence and patriotic zeal of 
 the Chevalier O'Beiily, (who, though born in France, still felt a warm 
 attachment to the land of his forefathers), the book, in the expectation 
 that its contents would be translated and published, was, by the consent 
 of the Irish seminary and the Archbishop, restored to its native country, 
 by the superior of the Irish college at Paris, who gave it to the late 
 General, then Colonel, Vallancey, to be lodged in the library of the 
 Royal Irish Academy, where it now remains, and where, through the 
 obliging indulgence of that erudite body, the writer of this account has 
 had an opportunity of consulting it and other valuable Irish manuscripts? 
 and noting their contents.
 
 CXVlll 
 
 The learned General, avIio brought the book back to Ireland, in the 
 account which he "ives of it in his Green Buoh, already nientionetl under 
 the year 1390, supposes it to have been in the library of Trinity College, 
 Dublin, long after the time in which the Abbe Mac Geoghegan says it 
 was taken from this country. He says it was lent by Doctor Hayniond to 
 a person of the name of Thady Naghton, from whom it was stolen by 
 one Egan, who gave it to his master, Judge Marlay, in whose library it 
 was at the time of his death. He says the book was afterwards carried 
 to Paris; but by whom, or by what means procured from the heirs of 
 the Judge, he does not inform us. Against the authority of Abbe Mac 
 Geoghegan there is nothing to support the General's conjecture, unless 
 we take the mention made of the book by the learned Edward Lhuyd, 
 in his Archaelogia Britannica, as a kind of collateral proof. That gen- 
 tleman published his book in 1707, and in it he gives a short table of 
 the contents' of the Books of Ballimote and Leacan, both of which he 
 says he found in the library of Trinity College. Hence it may be said, 
 if these books were then in Trinity College, the Book of Leacan could 
 "not have been taken away by James H. But Lhuyd docs not say these 
 books were in Trinity College at the time he was publishing his book ; 
 and it is Avell known that he was employed in collecting his materials for 
 that work a great number of years before he published. It is known 
 that he was in Ireland for that purpose long before 1690, at which period 
 he might have consulted the Book of Leacan, and James might have 
 subsequently removed it to Paris. 
 
 In the account given of the Book of Ballimote, under the year 1390, 
 we have given reasons to suppose it was that book that Doctor Baymond 
 liad lent to O'Naghten, and that the Book of Leacan was not in the 
 College library when he procured for Dermot O'Connor, the translator 
 of Doctor Keating's History of Ireland, a loan of the Book of Ballimote. 
 In addition to this, the writer of this account has the authority of his 
 venerable friend, the late Chevalier O'Gorman, to say, that he frequently 
 consulted the Book of Leacan, in the library of the Irish College at 
 Paris, upwards of seventy years ago. Hence it may be safely concluded, 
 that the Abbe Mac Geoghegan, who had the best means of obtaining 
 information on Irish affairs about the period of the Revolution, must be
 
 CXIX 
 
 correct, when he says the Book of Leacan was carried to France by 
 James the Second. 
 
 A. D. 1420. 
 
 CLXii. GioLLA-NA-NAOMH O'HuiDHRix, a learned historian, died this 
 year, according to the Annals of the Four Masters. He was author of 
 a topographical poem, intended as a Supplement to John O'Dugan's 
 Ujiiallccm cimceall net pobla. We have seen, under the year 1372, that John 
 O'Dugan has given an account of the chief tribes and territories of 
 Leatli Conn, (Meath, Ulster, and Conaght) at the time of the Anglo- 
 Norman invasion. O'Huidhrin's work gives an account of the principal 
 families of Leath MhogJia, (Leinster and Munster) and the districts 
 occupied by them, at the same period. The poem consists of seven 
 hundred and eighty verses, beginning *' UuiUe peaj-rt tijx CijiiTj 05," " An 
 addition of knowledge on sacred Erin." 
 
 A very valuable copy of this poem, in the hand-writing of Cucoigcriche 
 O'Clery, is in the collection of MSS. belonging to the Assistant Secretary 
 to this Society. 
 
 CLXiii. In this year also died Angus, son of Carroll buidhe (yellow) 
 O'Daly. He was author of the two following poems, of which copies 
 are in the library of John Mac Namara, Esq. a Member of this Society. 
 
 1. A poem of one hundred and thirty-six verses, beginning Comuy- niui|t 
 Cjiudcnct (I5 clutlin jTfctoic," " Dimensions of the wall of Cruachan at 
 Fraoich's retreat." This poem is, by some, ascribed to Angus roe O'Daly, 
 who died A. D. 1350. The subject is, the description of the castle of 
 Carn Fraoich, erected by Aodh O'Conor, king of Conaght. 
 
 2. A poem, beginning " 3(itni6 dn ccfiic^i tt clcirj f^leill," " Know 
 this country, O sons of Niall!" one hundred and sixty verses, addressed 
 to Art O'Maoilslieachlainn, exciting him to take arms against the English, 
 and rescue his country from their tyranny. Copy in collection of John 
 Mac Kaniara, Esq.
 
 cxx 
 
 cLxiv. Fergal, son of Teig, son of Angus roe O'Daly, chief poet of 
 Corcamroe, also died this year. In the year U15, this author, together 
 with Maurice O'Daly of Breifnc, Dermod O'Daly of Meath, Hugh og 
 Mac Cuirtin, Dubthach, son of Eochaidh the learned, and several other 
 poets, were cruelly plundered by Lord Furnival. 
 
 CLXV. In the same year with the three last-mentioned writers died 
 CoNAiNO O'Maolconaire, a Conaght poet. He is said, by some writers, 
 to have been the author of the poem beginning " "^Ictt {m po|tbct pedfd," 
 which, on the authority of the O'Clerys, we have ascribed to Giolla 
 Caoimhghin, or Giolla Kevin. Others, however, say that it was written 
 by a Conaing O'Maolconaire, who died A. D. 1314. 
 
 See under the years 1072 and 1314. 
 
 cLvi. Donald, son of Eogan O'Daly, flourished at this period. He 
 was author of a poem on the death of Donald, son of Donald O'Sullivan, 
 prince of Dunboy, who died in Spain. The poem consists of two hun- 
 dred and four verses, beginning " Sdn Sbrtiti bo z;oifi)ie(lm CeaJnuiji," " In 
 Spain Tarah was interred." 
 
 A fine copy of this poem is in the collection of O'Gara, in the library 
 of John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1423. 
 
 cxLVii. Under this year the Four Masters record the death of Faelan 
 Mac a Gobhan, a learned historian. He was the transcriber of a great 
 part of the Book of the O'Kellys, a valuable Irish manuscript, now in 
 the library of Sir William Betham, and the original author of some of 
 the tracts therein contained. At folio 103 of that book, is given a poem 
 of two hundred and twenty-eight verses, the composition of this author. 
 It begins " 'Jtdcim <ij\. Dcttiiji •rjle," " Adam, father of us all," and gives the 
 names of the wives and daughters of several of the Pagan heroes and 
 deities. This is followed, at folio 104, with an account of the wives of
 
 CXXl 
 
 the patriarchs, and a synchronism of the Roman emperors with the 
 nionarchs and provincial kings of Ireland, from Julius Caesar and 
 Eochaidh Feidhlioch, monarch of Ireland, to the Emperor Severus, and 
 Art the Solitary, monarch of Ireland, from A. D. 220 to 250, in which 
 latter year he died. After this follows, to the end of folio 111, an account 
 of the Jewish high priests and the first Christian bishops, the officers of 
 Saint Patrick's household, and different members of his family. 
 
 We cannot say whether these latter tracts are the original productions 
 of Faelan Mac a Gobhan or not ; but by a memorandum at the bottom 
 of folio 111, b. col. 2, it is said they were written by Faelan Mac a Gobhan 
 na seel (of the Histories) for his lord and bis friend Bishop Muirchear- 
 tach O'Kelly. This prelate was Bishop of Clonfert from A. D. 1378 to 
 A. D. 1394, at which time he was translated by Pope Boniface IX. to 
 the See of Tuam, over which he presided as Archbishop, until his death, 
 on the 29th September, 1407. 
 
 The large vellum manuscript of Sir William Belham has been so often 
 mentioned in the course of this work, that it may gratify the curiosity of 
 our readers to give them a short account of its contents. It may very 
 properly be called the Leahhnr lly Maine, or the Book of the O'Kellys, 
 as it contains sufficient proofs to shew that it was for them it was com- 
 piled, and that it remained in possession of a branch of that family until 
 at least the year 1757. It is a very valuable document, written on vellum 
 of the largest size, but wants some leaves in the beginning and the end. 
 In its present state it commences at folio 24, with an account of the de- 
 scendants of Nial naoighiallacfi, and gives the pedigrees and (ihations of 
 the most noted families who trace their origin to that monarch. In this 
 part are introduced several of the valuable historical poems of Giolla 
 Caoimhghin, Giolla Modhuda, Giolla na naomh O'Dunn, Erard M'Coise, 
 Flann Mainistreach, Fotha ua Canni, &c. <S:c. of whose works we have 
 given a particular description in the course of this work. There are also 
 contained in this part several other ancient historical poems, with the 
 names of whose authors we are at present unacquainted. 
 
 From folio 29 there is a chasm to folio 39, where we meet an account 
 of the descendants of Maine, son of Niall, of which the principal were 
 the D'Kellys, the O'Maddens, and other ancient tribes of Boscoiumon
 
 ami Gaiway. At folio 40, h. col. I, is a caialogue of the kings or princes 
 of Ily Maine, from Ceallach, the great ancestor of the family of O Kelly, 
 from whom they take their name, to Donogh, son of Maoileaghlainn 
 O'Kelly, wlio was killed on the lOth of October, 1427, in Avhich year this 
 part of the book was w rit(en. This account is in prose, supported by the 
 ■ S!uthority of ancient poems, and ends at folio 46, from which to 57 there 
 is another chasm. 
 
 ■At folio 57, is part of the Leinster Book, extracted from the Book of 
 •Glendalogh, giving an account of the dcscewianls of Cathaoir mor, king 
 of Leinster and njonarch of Ireland, at the close of the second century. 
 Another chasm occurs from folio 58 to folio 65, where we meet with an 
 account of the men of Ulster, with pedigrees of the principal families of 
 that province, extracted -from the Book of Saul Abbey, in the county of 
 Down, founded by Saint Patrick, in A. D. 432. In this account are 
 comprehended the descendants of Ir, third son of Milesius, who made 
 Settlements for themselves in other provinces, such as the O'Connors of 
 Kerry and Corcamroe, the O'Loghlins of Burren, the O'Moores of Leix, 
 theO'Farrells of Annaly, «S:c. «&c. 
 
 < At folio 80 commences the Munster Book, with " Eber a fjuo dicltiir 
 Hibernia,^' in Irish characters, containing a great quantity of the early 
 history of Munster, and the pedigrees and liliations of the chief families 
 tiescended from Heber, the eldest sen of Milesius. 
 
 ' At folio 91, b. col. 2, the lectBd;i Dnedcnac. or Book of the Britons, 
 commences with E^o iVeniiius, in Irish characters, and continues to folio 
 ^4, a. col. 1. At the head of this tract there is a memorandum, which 
 says that Nennius was the author, and that Giolla Caoimhghin translated 
 it into ScoTic. 
 
 ' At folio 94, a. col. 1, is Eochaidh O'Floinn's poem of two hundred 
 and thirty-two verses, beginning " ?(r;ai)< cttic coimy-ift nime," traci vj: the 
 ancestors of the Irish through the Patriarchs, to (heir arrival in Egypt, 
 under Niall, son of Fenius Farsaigh (/. e the Persian). 
 
 At folio 95, a. col. 1, th<' bm-n-f€a-nc<x\-f, ov History of Women, giving 
 an account of the wives and mothers of the kings and chiefs of Ireland, 
 first in prose, and then in a poem of ihree l;un<lred and srventy-four 
 ranns, beginning " ?lbam rter)cttai;t w i}6rtei)ie," by Giolla Modhuda O'Cas- 
 sidy.
 
 cxxai 
 
 At folio 100, b. col. 2, Flaim Mainistreach's poem on the synchronisms 
 of the kings and emperors of the Assyrians, Persians, Irish, Greeks> 
 llomans, &c. 
 
 At folio 103, a. col. 2, Faelan M' a Gobhan's productions,, as above- 
 mentioned, to folio 111. 
 
 From folio 113 to the end of folio 127, Divine Poems, Prophecies, &c. 
 ascribed to SS. I3eiiin, Bercan, Beg mac De, Diring Draoi, Geoffry O'Clery, 
 Donagh mor O'Diily, Maolmuire O'Leanain, &c. &c. 
 
 At folio 127, a. col. I, begins an account of the Israelites from the 
 days of Abraham, &c. to folio 133, where is an account of the death of 
 Dermod, soaof Fergus Ceirbheoil^ monarch of Ireland, from A. D. 5i4 
 to J6.5. 
 
 At folio 1.35, the Book of Rights, ascribed to St. Beinin, of which, we 
 have already given a particular account. 
 
 From folio 139 to folio 143, Historical Poems, by Giolla Caoimghin, 
 John O'Dugan, and others of our most esteemed bards and historians. 
 
 At folio 143 commences the Dinn Seanchas, or History of noted Places 
 in Ireland. We have given a full account of this production when treat- 
 ing of Amergin M'Amalgaidh, A. D. 5-50, and of the Book of Ballimotej 
 under the year 1390, 
 
 At folio 172, John O'Dugan's poem o» the wonderful things of Ireland, 
 four hundred and eighty verses, beginnuig " Ci^ti iti)ttit)t cctlmdn <:oi|tig," 
 " Western Erin of fruitful lands." 
 
 , At folio 173 an historical poem on the building of Babylon. On the 
 same folio Giolla Caoimhghin's poem, beginning" 2iobalctd ttnall -rjle," 
 followed by three poems on Irish Topography, «&c. 
 
 At folio 174, O'Dugan's Irish Vocabulary, beginning " tojxuf poccl 
 IraibcecCji liB," followed, on the same folioj by two poems on the birth of 
 Christ. 
 
 At folio 17o, John O'Dugan's poero on the battles of Cormac O'Cuinn, 
 beginning " rectmat;! m ftig ficui Copmtiic." 
 
 At folio 176, are three anonymous historical poems. 
 
 At folio 177 commences a vocabulary of hard words, and etymology of 
 some proper names, in alphabetical order.
 
 CXXIV 
 
 At folio 184, another vocabulary, not in alphabetical order; and on the 
 same folio, the etymology of Irish proper names. 
 
 At folio 188, the monarch Cormac's royal precepts to his son Cairbre 
 Liffeachair. 
 
 At folio 190, account of several remarkable things in Ireland, of which 
 there were three of each kind. 
 
 At folio 191, a. col. 2, commences the Irish Prosody ; an account of 
 the Bardic profession and qualifications necessary for the different orders 
 of bards, the Uraiceapht, or Primer of the Bards ; account of the Ogham, 
 or secret writing, «fec. to folio 201. 
 
 From folio 201, to the end of the book at folio 216, are several poems 
 by our earliest and most esteemed Fileas. Some of these are authentic 
 history, and others are mixed with fable. Of this latter description are 
 the poems on the Knights or Heroes of the Red Branch ; such as Cu- 
 chullen, Conall, Cearnach, Curaidh mac Daire, Fergus mac Roigh, «&c. 
 and of the Fianna Eirionn, or famous Irish militia, commanded by Fionn 
 Mac Cubhail, (the Fingal of Macpherson), such as GoU mac Moirne, 
 Dermod O'Duibhne, Caoilte Mac Ronan, Conan maol, Oisin the poet, 
 Oscar, son of Oisin, &c. &c. 
 
 From the above short account it will be seen, that this book contains 
 the chief part of the matter to be found in the Books of Ballimote and 
 Leacan ; in addition to which, are several other valuable pieces, which 
 render it a most interesting document to the Irish historian and anti- 
 quary. 
 
 A. D. 1425. 
 
 c'Lxvni. In this year died Thomas, son of Giolla-na-naomh, Mac-a- 
 GoBHAN, or Smith, surnamed 3Iac craith na sgel. He was chief gene- 
 alogist of O'Loghlainn of Corcomroe. It is probable he was the author 
 or transcriber of the Irish manuscript book, mentioned by Nicholson, in 
 his Irish historical library, as being in the library of the Duke of Chan- 
 dos, under the title of " Collectanea Magraithi Mac Gowna, de Genealo- 
 giis Sanctorum Ilibernise.
 
 cxxv 
 
 A. D. 1430. 
 
 cLxix. About this time flouriahcd Agnus O'Daly fionn, surnamed 
 na diadhacta, (of the divinity). He was author of the following pieces. 
 . 1. A poem of forty verses, beginning " Cjieidim buic ct bbe heime," " I 
 believe in thee, Oh God of heaven." This is a thanksgiving after Com- 
 munion. 
 
 2. A poem on the benefits arising to man from the incarnation of the 
 sou of God ; forty-eight verses, beginning " Co-{"ctc f i6e f a))Uf gtlbfliel," 
 *' The salutation of Gabriel is the beginning of peace." 
 
 3. A poem beseeching the intercession of Saint John the Baptist, 
 sixty verses, beginning "guide ojtm, <l Coin 6ctifce," "Pray forme, Oh 
 John Baptist." 
 
 Copies of these three poems arc In the MS. collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 4. A poem, beginning " Sofitiib le6 ceile cC Chcti^il," " Farewell with thy 
 companion, O Cashel," two hundred and eight verses on the death of 
 Donald M'Carthy, prince of Desmond, who died, according to the Annals 
 of the Four Masters, A. D. 1409. This chief, the poet informs us, died 
 without issue. 
 
 Copy in O'Gara's book, in the library of J. M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 cLxx. Hugh O'Dalv, chief poet of O'Reilly, prince of East Breifne, 
 died this year. He wrote a poem on the marriage of Eoghan na feaso\ge 
 (of the beard) O'Reilly, with Gormly, the daughter of Tiernan mor 
 O'Rourke, prince of West Breifne, an imperfect copy of which, together 
 with some other imperfect poems by the same author, are in the collection 
 of the Assistant Secretary. The poem on the marriage of his patron 
 with O'Rourke's daughter begins " 1j- ttoibit) 6uic d Ob/teipne/' •' Happy is 
 it for thee, Oh Breifne."
 
 ex XVI 
 
 A. D. 14 10. 
 
 €i,xxT. About this time nourished Goffrey O'Clery, of whose pro- 
 ductions, four poems, on religious subjects, are preserved in an ancient 
 and vahiable velkim MS. in the library of Sir William Betham. 
 
 1. Upon the respect that Christians sli-ould have for Friday above the 
 Gther days of the week, one hundred and thirty-two verses, beginning 
 " Cdb/ictiS o))(>ij-t boi) deine," " Give reverence to Friday." 
 
 Tn this poem the author shews that on Friday our Lord Jesus Christ 
 dic<l for the sins of man ; on Friday Saint Stephen was stoned; Saint John 
 the Baptist behpaded ; Saints Peter and Paul erucitied, &c. S:c. 
 
 2. Upon the gift of tongues to the Apostles, and the different nations 
 to whicJi each of them preached the Gospel; one hundred and forty-four 
 verses, beginning " COA]t ]\tx coin6n)ea6 coirjeafn be," " The spouse of God 
 well merits support." 
 
 3. Upon the instability of earthly dwellings, and the kingdom of God 
 as the permanent abode to which man should aspire ; one hundred and 
 twenty-four verses, beginning '' pa6cc go •cu?5'm mo ieac," " Long until I 
 go to my house." 
 
 4. A poem beginning " bligiij icty-ctcc rtibledcdb jte a CbdjiBti," " It is 
 right to return a l^an with its profit ;" one hundred and twenty-eight 
 verses. 
 
 CLxxii. At this time flourished Brian ?'oe M'Coismhidhe, a retainer of 
 the houses of O'Neill and O'DonneJl. He was author of tlie followiuir 
 poems : 
 
 1. On the O'Neill family, shewing that to them belonged the sovereignty 
 of Ireland. This poem consists of one hundred and fifty-six verses, 
 beginning " Ceamrtijt gac bctile a mbi ;ii," " Tarah is every, town where a 
 king is.'" 
 
 Copy in the library of John IVPNaniara, Esq. 
 
 2. On Neachtan, son of Torlogh an J'kioua (of the wine) O'Donell, 
 prince of Tirconell, one hundred and forty-eight verses, beginning 
 " lombcf T]\]\r,m ci5 Ullcaij,"' '' The Ultonians have great respect." 
 
 Copies in the possession of Bev. Doctor O'Brien, and of the Assistant 
 Secretary.
 
 cxxvu 
 
 A. D. 1441. 
 
 cLxxiti. Maoilin, son of Tanaidhe, son ofPaidin O'Maolconaire, chief 
 poet of the Siol Muireadhaigh (O'Connors of Conaght) died on the 13th 
 of February this year, according to the Annals of the Four Masters. He 
 was author of the poem beginning " biigid jtij eoluf 6'oUcim," " The 
 knowledge of a professor behoves a king," one hundred and sixty-four 
 versos, upon the division of Conaght between Cathal Crobh-dhearg 
 (red-hand) and Brian Luighneach, the two sons of Torlogh, (the great) 
 O'Conor, king of Conaght and monarch of Ireland, who died A. D, 
 1156. The poet gives an account of the districts and boundaries of each 
 son's share, and a list of the descendants of Brian who obtained the go- 
 vernment of the entire province of Conaght, and the number of years 
 that each prince ruled. 
 
 A copy of this poem is in the hands of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D 1446. 
 
 cLxxiV'. Tanaidhe, son of Maoilin, son of Tanaidhe O'Maolconaire, 
 died about the feast of Easter, this year, and was buried in the monas- 
 tery of Ballybogan. He was author of the poem beginning " Ql eiccyiu 
 hiXnha6co mblc(i6," " Oh ye learned of Ireland with great renown," twelve 
 verses, on the battle of Tenus, in Ibh-Failge, fought between Heber 
 and Heremon, two sons of Milcsius, A. M. 2935, in which the former 
 lost his life. 
 
 Copy in the Book of Lcacan, fol. 13, col. 4, and in the Book of 
 Conquests, by the O'Clerys, in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 CLxxv. Donald Mac an Clasaigh (the fat) O'Coffey, and his two 
 sons, were killed this year at Lough Ainnin, in West Meath, by the 
 descendants of Art O'Maoilseachlainn, and by the sons of Fiacha 
 Mageoghan. He was, as the Four Masters say, " a good leader of an
 
 cxxvia 
 
 army, and well skilled in poetry." He was author of the poem begin- 
 ning " Uai;te ;tiOo a fnic O^bu^tcctbcc," " Be cautious, oh son of Morogh," 
 one hundred and sixty-eight verses, cautioning the prince of Leinster to 
 be prepared to resist the attacks of the English. 
 
 A copy of this poem, beautifully written on paper about the year 1600, 
 is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1448. 
 
 CLxxvx. The Annals of Conaght, and of the Four Masters, under this 
 year, record the death of " Tadhg or Teige og, son of Giolla Columb 
 O'Hi^GiN, first preceptor of the poets of Eiriu and Alba," (Ireland and 
 Scotland). He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. In praise of the river Shannon, forty-two verses, beginning " "^l 
 Sio)iccin6 Crr)b ceb cdcfiiig," " O Shannon of Conn of hundred battles." 
 
 Copy with Assistant Secretary. 
 
 2. A poem beginning " Qivd^b c/ti coiiiftetic Km cioii," " They are three 
 that contend on my account," one hundred and twenty-four verses, 
 shewing that the world, tlie flesh, and the devil contend against his 
 spiritual good. Copy in collection of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 3. A poem beginning " O'n c(;\6 crcnt tig c(>i coBaijt," " From the North 
 the assistance came," one hundred and forty-four verses, on the mighty 
 deeds of Niall og O'Neill. 
 
 Copy in the collection of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 4. A poem beginning " CP6;\ mo cr^b bo cumdio ChditJs," " Great my share 
 of sorrows for Teig," one hundred and ninety-two verses, on the death 
 of Teige O'Conor, Sligo. 
 
 Copy in the collection of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 5. A poem, beginning " '2lnoij- bo cuigfiSe Za6z,,'''' " Now Teige was 
 taken," one hundred and sixty verses, on the death of Teige O'Kelly. 
 
 Copy in the collection of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 6. A poem beginning " puilijigid fcuft leun <( leii CnuiJi," "Suffer your 
 sorrows, oh Leath Chuinn," one hundred and sixty-four verses, on the 
 death of Ulick Burke. 
 
 Copy with John M'Namara, Esq.
 
 CXXIX 
 
 7. A poem beginning " '^inocz 'f^aroHib M f^ola," " To-night are dis- 
 solved the schools," one hundred and twelve verses, on the death of 
 
 Feargal roe O'Higgin. 
 
 Copy in the collection of John M'jSamara, Esq. 
 
 The poem beginning " 6ct ftoin comcfiomd aift epic f^leill," which we have 
 on good authority given to Owen M'Craith, under 1395, is, by some 
 writers, ascribed to this author. 
 
 A. D. 1450e. 
 
 CLXxvii. At this time flourished John, son of Rory, M'Craith, the 
 chief historian of the Dalcassian or North Munster tribes. He wrote, in 
 the year 1459, the Caitfteim Coijitiecdbdij, or Catalogue of the battles of 
 Turlogh, containing an account of the wars of Thomond for upwards of 
 two hundred years, from the landing of Henry H. in Ireland, to the 
 death of Lord Robert de Clare, A. D. 1318. 
 
 cLxxviii. At this time also lived Teige, son of Joseph, O'Cassidy, of 
 Coole. He was physician to the Maguires, princes of Fermanagh, and 
 wrote a treatise on Medicine, a copy of which is- in the collection of the 
 Assistant Secretary^ 
 
 A. D. 1460. 
 
 cLxxix. John O'Cludhain Nourished about this period. He was 
 author of a poem in praise of Aodb, or Hugh, son of Owen O'Conor, 
 one hundred and eighty-eight verses, beginning " t>oj\n i6i;t 6{tr) ly- 6c(^ac6y" 
 " A liand between poetry and courage." 
 
 A fine old copy of this poem is in the collection of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary.
 
 cxxx 
 
 A. D. 14G8. 
 
 cLxxx. John Mac Coinmhidue, or Conway, died this year. He was 
 author of the poem, beginning " Tiuf, tsn bSf bctijle a. neinij," " Death 
 carried the palm of victory," two hundred and ninety-six verses, on the 
 death of Niall og O'Neill, prince of Tir-Eoghan (Tyrone.) 
 
 Copy in the collection of John M'Naniara, Esq. 
 
 CLxxxi. Cotemporary with John Mac Coinmhidhe was Donogh O'Bolg- 
 AiDH, or BouLGER, a physician, who wrote some tracts on medicine, 
 and transcribed the works of others on that subject. A large book, 
 containing near five hundred pages, beautifully written on vellum, in 
 O'Bolgai's handwriting, is in possession of the Assistant Secretary. By a 
 memorandum at the end of one of the tracts contained in this book, 
 which treats of the medicinal virtues of herbs, minerals, «&c. it appears 
 that it was first written at Mount Pelior, in France. The date of the 
 transcript is then given in these words and characters: " OO.cccc.lx.u'. ^•D 
 ziiD 60 CftictiujctD an leaBa^t -fo, le bo^cab b. OoUccai, dgcCy dnirg Id peil pDien, 
 tjgci^ a. coTOctftca rt-judjtiuy 60 ui m zefca, ttgCf C 60 bo lfue;i bofiDidig, a^<if 
 <i ceaiix^jx majx mr^mf o'r* 60 ^^ 11 blutbain ^in." " M.CCCC.LX.VI. the 
 time this book was finished by Donogh O'Bolgai (Boulger) and the day 
 
 was the feast of Saint Finian, and the Moon was in the sign Aquarius, 
 and four Avas the golden number of that year." 
 
 Besides the tract above mentioned, there are separate treatises upon 
 the diseases of the head, and other members of the human body, in which 
 
 many of the Arabian physicians are frequently quoted. 
 
 Towards the end of the book there is a translation of Aristotle's 
 
 Treatise " On the Nature of Matter," but it does not appear whether 
 
 O'Bolgai was the translator, or only a transcriber. 
 
 The Ijast article in this book is a law tract, regulating the rewards to 
 
 be paid to physicians by different ranks in society. Tlie language of this 
 
 law tract, and the matters contained in it, prove it to have been written 
 
 at a much earlier period than that in which the rest of the book was 
 
 written.
 
 CXXXl 
 
 A. D. 1481. 
 
 cLXXxii. Conor roe M'Coinmhidhe died this year. He was author of 
 a poem o i the death of Brian O'Neill, eighty-four verses, beginning 
 " 1 imMD Ca j-i dcd <t ))boijte," " Precious are the relicks that are im 
 Derry," 
 
 Co2;)y in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1498. 
 
 CLxxxiii. Cathald Mac Magnus (Charles Maguire) died this year, on 
 the 10th of the calends of April. He was author of those Annals of 
 Ireland, called "Annals of Bally M' Magnus," "Senatensian Annals," and 
 " Annals of Ulster." They commence with the reign of Feradach Fionn- 
 fachtnach, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 60, and are carried down to the 
 author's own time. They were afterwards continued to the year 1504, by 
 Roderick O'Cassidy, Archdeacon of Clogher. 
 
 The Annals of the Four Masters give the character, and relate the 
 death of Cathald, in words, of which the following is a literal transla- 
 tion : " Mac Magnus of Seanaigh, i. e. Cathal og, son of Cathal, son of 
 Cathal, son of Giolla Patrick, son of Mathew, &c. was master of a house 
 of general hospitality, and a public victualler in Seanaidh Mac Magnus ; 
 Canon of the Choir in Ardmagh, and in the Bishoprick of Clogher; 
 Parson of Iniscaoin; Deacon of Lough Erne; and Deputy of the Bishop 
 of Clogher, for fifteen years before his death. He was an encourager 
 and protector of learning and science in his own district; a treasured 
 branch of the Canons ; a fountain of love anil mercy to the poor and 
 unprotected of God's people. It was he who collected and brought 
 together many books of Annals, from which he compiled the Annals of 
 Bally Mac Magnus, for himself. He died of the small pox on the 10th 
 of the calends of April, on a Friday, in particular, in the sixtieth year of 
 his age."
 
 cxxxu 
 
 Those Annals are partly Irisli and part Latin. A copy of this work, in 
 folio, written on vellum, is in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. 
 
 A. D. 1501. 
 
 cLxxxiv. The Annals of the Four Masters under this year, record the 
 death of Donald O'Higgin, teacher of the schools of Ireland in poetry, 
 after his return from a pilgrimage to the church of Saint James, in Spain. 
 The Annals of Conaght say he died in 1-502. He was a native of the 
 county of Sligo, and author of a poem, consisting of one hundred and 
 thirty-two verses, beginning " CDeiy-6e «dc eadnid/t ei|te '' " Woful that not 
 jealous is Erin," in praise of John, son of Alexander M'Donald. 
 
 Copy with the Assistant Score ta?'y. 
 
 A. D. 1504. 
 
 CLXxxv. Pierce, son of Thomas O'Cassidy, of Coola, Maguire's pro- 
 fessor of physic, died this year. He wrote on the nature and cure of 
 different diseases incident to the human frame. 
 
 A copy of his work is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1508. 
 
 CLXxxvi. Geoffrey O'Daly, fionn, died this year, according to the 
 Annals of Conaght. To this author we are indebted for the following 
 poems : 
 
 1. One hundred and eighty- four verses, beginning " COaifig med.Wa'f 
 r(tT^^y\ <(n cyaojail," " Woe to him whom the riches of the world deceive," 
 upon the folly of great attachment to worldly matters.
 
 CXXXUl 
 
 2. A poem of two hundred verses, beginning " t)o t65B!aiii mei/ige OOufX' 
 crttJiJ," " The standard of Morogh was raised," in praise of Morogh 
 O'Madden, prince of the Siol nAmchadha, or tribe of O'Maddens. The 
 author compares the actions of his hero to those of his namesake, Mo- 
 rogh, son of Brian Boroiniiie, at the battle of Clontarf. 
 
 3. A po<,Mn of two hundred verses, beginning " Q)<x6 piap^icnbedc bu6 
 peciy-flc," " If you are inquisitive you will be knowing," upon Irish gram- 
 mar. It treats of the parts of speech, and the genders of nouns. 
 
 4. A poem of two hundred and four verses, beginning " ?t "^hedjxoizz 
 dedna mo bciil," " Oh Gerald, do my bidding." This poem is addressed 
 to Gerald, son of Maurice, Earl of Desmond, requesting his powerful 
 protection. 
 
 Fine copies of this author's works are in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 A. D. ISIO. 
 
 CLxxxvii. Owes Roe M'an Bhaird (Ward), chief poet of TIrconnel, 
 died this year. He was author of many poems, none of which have come 
 under our notice, except one, consisting of one hundred and thirty-six 
 verses, on the death of Donald O'Donell. It begins " lecfyg dr) ttbcngp 
 a^ ea-f ^ua6," " Sloth this night on Eas Roe." 
 
 Copy of this poem in collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 151L 
 cLxxxviii. At this time flourished Cairbre O'Maolconaire, a famous 
 scribe, who made a beautiful copy of one of our ancient Law tracts, that 
 had been glossed or commented on by Donogh, son of Cairbre M'Aodh- 
 again, or M'Egan. This tract was once the property of the author of 
 the Archaiologia Britannica, and afterwards of Sir John Seabright, who 
 made a present of it, and several other valuable Irish manuscrips, to the 
 library of Trinity College, where it now is, in class H. 54,
 
 CXXXIV 
 
 A. D. 1518. 
 
 CLXxsix. CioTHRUADH, SOU of Atlialriie O'Heoghusa, died this year, 
 accord ii)g to the Four Masters. He was autlior of a poem in praise of 
 theO'Roiirkes, beginning " br^we ixf. ppiledb fT,l ??ud;ictic," " Nurse of the 
 poets is the family of O'Rourice ;" one hundred and thirty-two verses. 
 
 A fine copy of this poem is iu O'Gara's collection, in the library of 
 John Mac Naniara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1520. 
 
 cxxc. Teige og O'Daly flourished at this time. He was author of 
 a poem, consisting of one hundred and forty verses, beginning " ^li 
 clriJin gdbalci 5/^Sf be," " No deceitful prize is the grace of God," on 
 the great advantage of living in a state of grace, and of the goodness of 
 God. 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cxci. At this time also lived Brian caoch O'Daly, author of a poem 
 on confidence in God, one hundred and forty-four verses, beginning 
 " bfXmgeAn cofl|tc(b pet ccii;t- jtij, ' "A secure contract in the promise of God." 
 
 Copy in collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1532. 
 
 cxcTi. Manus, son of Aodh O'Donell, of the princely family of Tir- 
 Conell, died this year. He was author of a Life of Saint Patrick, written 
 in his native language, often quoted by Colgan and other writers. 
 
 About this period flourished a poet, also of the name of Manus 
 O'Donell, but we are not able to say whether he be the same person that
 
 cxxxv 
 
 wrote the Life of Saint Patrick, or not. Some short poems of his com- 
 position are in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 1. A poem of twelve verses, beginning " Cfioibe Ittii 60 |-iiirc(jy/Ci5iB," 
 " A heart full of meditations." 
 
 2. A poem of twelve verses, beginning " bcfji ledrn ly- 5alc(;i e iti 5|iiJiJ," 
 " In my opinion, love is a disease." 
 
 3. A poem of twenty-four verses, beginning " C|loibe «{o 6ct 5016 wctiTje," 
 " This is a heart that is about to be stolen from us." 
 
 4. A poem of twelve verses, beginning " '^o\^z <tr]occ beiftead mo ygel,'"' 
 " Painful to-night is the end of my tale." 
 
 5. A poem, beginning " (Odj- bfiaccCi}! Bocc dft bfidictijl nieit," " If the 
 fat brother be a poor brother," (a friar). 
 
 A. D. 1541. 
 
 cxcin. In this year died Rodekick O'Cassidv, Archdeacon of Clogher. 
 He wrote a continuation of the Ulster Annals, from 1498, where they 
 were ended by Cathal Mac Guire, to the year 1504, and added some 
 things to the first part. 
 
 This work is in the library of Trinity College. 
 
 A. D. 1550. 
 
 cxciv. LoGHLAiNN O'Daly flounshcd at this period. He was author 
 of the following pieces : 
 
 1. A poem of eighty-four verses, beginning " Uctigneac a. cdoi <x recig net 
 jiobflacaifi," " Solitary art thou, Oh house of the brothers," upon the 
 expulsion of the Franciscan friars from their convents, in tlie reign of 
 Henry the Eighth. 
 
 2. A poem of one hundred and thirty-two verses, beginning " Cpettllcrf;* 
 in6e an cao^- bcinct," " We, the people of song, are deceived."
 
 CXXXVl 
 
 3. A poem of one hundreJ verses, beginnino; " CCtic 'nctfl ^dhabdji 
 5«oi6il," " Where did the Gathelians lind shelter," upon the separation 
 and dispersion of the Irish. 
 
 4. A poem, beginning " poguf cabdiji 6o c;iioc boifttie," " Assistance is 
 near the country of Burren," upon the family of O'Loghlain of Burren, 
 in tlie west of the county of Clare. 
 
 5. The poem, beginning " Cijct odlcct Cbdi/ibfie jtuccib," which we have 
 given, from good authority, to Flann Mainistreach, is, by some writers, 
 ascribed to Loghlainn O'Daly. 
 
 See Flann Mainistreach, or Flann of Bute, under the year 10.56. 
 Copies of these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1554. 
 
 cxcv. Teige, son of Aodh O'Coffey, the chief teacher of poetry in 
 Eire and Alba, (Ireland and Scotland) died this year, according to the 
 Four Masters. He was author of the following pieces : 
 
 1. A poem of sixty-eight verses, beginning " C|ttlri <{eoil nd c/trjne at) 
 cfloc rjcJomta," "The holy cross is the mast of the world," in praise of 
 the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the goodness of God in sending 
 his son to die an ignominious death for the redemption of man. 
 
 2. A poem, beginning " polttfn G\j\e b'ea.fhm6 5h;<ictn)," " Ireland is 
 waste, from the absence of Brian," one hundred verses, on the death of 
 Brian O'Connor Failge, (Faly.) 
 
 Copies of these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cxcvi. At this time lived a poet distinguished by the name of Teige 
 mor O'Coffey, author of a poem in praise of Manus, son of Aodh dubh 
 O'Donell, who gave the writer a mare of his stud for every rann contained 
 in the poem. It consists of twenty ranns, or eighty verses, beginning " Cia 
 |le cc-yjfipn ^e<X6 {r-^jx^e ?" " Who sends the gifts of courtship?" 
 
 We know not but this and the last-mentioned writer are one and the 
 same person. 
 
 Copy in the library of Rev. Doctor O'Brien.
 
 CXXXVll 
 
 A. D. 1556. 
 
 cxcvii. The annals of the Four Masters, under this year, record the 
 murder of Anthony, son of William O'Coffey, by some persons un- 
 known. He was author of the following pieces : 
 
 1. A poem of one hundred and tifty-six verses, beginning "C06 w 1cJ;tlc( 
 ttinm Sbemctiy," " Greater than Earl is the name of James." This was 
 written in praise of James earl of Desmond, who survived his poet but 
 one year. 
 
 2. A poem of one hundred and sixty verses, beginning " pc(6a dn cr,me 
 ■fo ctft c6',]\ ))be." " Long be this remembrance on the justiceof God ;" in 
 praise of our Lord Jesus Clirist, and on the intercession of his mother, 
 the Blessed Virgin Mary, in favour of sinners. 
 
 Copies of these poems are in the possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cxcviii. At this time flourished Fearflatha O'Gnimh, (O'Gneeve) 
 poet to the O'Neills of Clannaboy. He was author of the poem beginning 
 " COo ti([uaMi mct|i <tcc(i6 5«ioi«^il," " Alas for the state of the Gathelians," 
 ninety-two verses, upon the miserable state of the Irish in those parts of 
 the country where the power of the English prevailed. 
 
 An imperfect translation of this poem may be seen in O'Connor's Dis- 
 sertations on the History of Ireland, at page 74, Christie's edition, Dublin, 
 1812. Copies of the original arc in the hands of almost every Irish 
 scholar. 
 
 A. D. 1560. 
 
 cxcix. At this period flourished Fergal O'Cionga, (King.) He was 
 author of a poem upon the merits of Christ's sufferings, one hundred and 
 fifty-two verses, b; iiinning " COd^i^ df uji/id pe heacz fiij !" " Alas ! that 
 subject to his condition is the king." 
 
 A copy of this poem is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 CXXXVUl 
 
 cc. At this time also lived Cormac, son of Giolla Colulm O'Higgix, 
 who wrote a poem on the death of Donogh, son of Cathal O'Conor, Sligo, 
 one hundred and eighty verses, beginning " Sion co\zce<ir, cumdib grtoibil,", 
 " The sorrow of the Gathelians appears in a general shower of tears." 
 
 Copy in O'Gara's collection in the library of John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 156S. 
 
 cci. Donald Mac Carthy, created first earl of Clan-Carthy this year, 
 was author of some poems, two only of which have reached us: 
 
 1. A small poem, of sixteen verses, beginning " 'Stiyling t/iudg 60 meii;t 
 iDCiY-i," " A sorrowful vision has deceived me." 
 
 2. A poem of forty-four verses, beginning " Uc dij uc ! d O^b-rjfte B-i^tJe," 
 " Alas! alas! oh benign Mary ;" a pious address to the Blessed Virgin 
 Mary. 
 
 Copies in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1566. 
 
 ecu. John O'Maolconaire, called by some of the annalists ?';t6 olldm 
 ei;tion, (chief poet of Ireland) flourished at the time that Brian na murtha 
 (of the bulwarks) O'Rourke was chosen chief of his tribe, after the death 
 of his brother Aodh buidhe, (the yellow) A. D. 1566. He wrote a poem 
 in praise of Brian na murtha, one hundred and thirty-six verses, beginning 
 " puaiji bpeiptie a. biol 60 y-dejlctn*," " Breifne has obtained a prince worthy 
 of her." This poem is written in the Bearla Peine, or Phoenician dialect 
 of the Irish, and the poet assigns as a reason for his using that dialect, 
 *•' because the bec^;^la ftuj-cac, or dialect of plebeians^ was unworthy of his 
 hero.'' 
 
 A fine old copy of this poem, with an interlined gloss, is in the collection 
 of Irish MSS. belonging to the Assistant Secretary.
 
 cxxxix 
 
 A. D. 1570. 
 
 cciii. At this time lived Angus O'Daly Fionn, surnamed the Divine. 
 He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. Forty-eight verses on our Saviour's humanity, beginning " C-»;Ue gan 
 Cftcdj 6dor)bac6 be," " A flood without ebb, is the humanity of God." 
 
 2. Forty-four verses on the Conception of the Blessed Virgin, begin- 
 ning " Soijeac hAl-fam bj\u COr,ne,'' " A vessel of precious balsam is the 
 womb of Mary." 
 
 3. Sixty-four versos in praise of God, beginning " ^id cr,^ poiij beg ^-o 
 60 bbici," " These fifteen ranns to God." 
 
 4. Forty-eight verses, in which the poet acknowledges his sins, and 
 says it required the blood of a God to cleanse him from them. This 
 poem begins " f-h lei^t i>aon a. <iir)eafn pein," " The stains of a man are 
 not visible to himself." 
 
 5. A hymn addressed to our Lord Jesus Christ, beginning " 'Jl 1oj-<( 
 ai) e^fbeap. mo bcin?" " Oh Jesus do you attend to my song ?" 
 
 6. A penitential Address to our Saviour, eighty-eight verses, beginning 
 '• Cifz fiem' cripd a fneic COnTj;ie !" " Hear my faults, Oh Son of Mary!" 
 
 T. Twenty-four verses on the Blessed Sacrament, beginning " gab ma 
 coimi/ice tx Chr-jjxf loyd," " Be my protection. Oh body of Jesus." 
 
 8. Fifty-two verses, beginning " 5r^i'*" "i* maigfteat) njatai/i be," " Sun 
 of Virgins is the Mother of God." 
 
 9. Forty verses, beginning " COai/tg ricic molrti) nai<^^]^ be," " Alas that 
 I praise not the mother of God." 
 
 10. Thirty-six verses, beginning " Cpctic tin lJci|ldDCct heAv ^105," " Good 
 is the authority of a queen." 
 
 1 1. Forty-four versjcs, beginning " "^ac mdijbean 50 rti-dzA'jx meic," 
 *' Each virgin to the mother of a son." 
 
 12. Thirty-two verses, beginning " ?l mV^ig 1' molrjiD CPTjjie," " In 
 falsehood I praise not Mary." 
 
 13. Twenty-four verses, beginning " Cpirjic 60 hedjuajx he<xn t.ccoil," 
 " Often is given a fond woman."
 
 cxl 
 
 14. Sixty verses, beginning " bean bu rnctc mtircd^ 1oj-<t," " A woman of 
 two sons, the mother of Jesus. 
 
 15. Forty-eight verses, beginning " ODaic m'dnacrtil ^ fe}]\^ Dbe," " Good 
 is my protection against the anger of God." 
 
 The last eight poems in the above list are in praise of the Blessed 
 Virgin Mary. 
 
 Copies of all these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 cciv. At this time also lived John buidhe O'Daly, author of a poem 
 in praise of Torlogh Luineach O'Neill, one hundred and seventy-six 
 verses, beginning " Cen-nb w p.io^j\(X}6e pij Ulaib," « Chief of kings the 
 king of Ulster." 
 
 Copy in collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccv. At the same time with the foregoing lived Owen O'Duffy, tlie 
 friso; author of a poem, consisting of three hundred and ninety-six 
 verses, on Miler M'Graith, and some others of the clergy, renouncing the 
 Catholic, and embracing the Protestant religion, in the reign of Eliza- 
 beth. This poem begins " le\^ bob comoji^uy brjri," " Leave thy com- 
 parison to us." 
 
 Copies in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. and of the Assistant 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 ccvr. Cotemporary with the two last-mentioned writers was Donald 
 M'Daire M'Bruaideagha, or M'Brodin, author of the two following 
 poems : 
 
 1. One hundred and sixty verses on James Earl of Desmond, begin- 
 ning " Ci<( ij- ■f\r\e cdi/to di/t c/tfc f^leiU," " Which is the oldest charter of 
 the country of Niall." 
 
 2. Two hundred and forty-eight verses on Torlogh, son of Donogh 
 O'Brien, beginning " Cftedb an crdmanj-cc <iif» ITbeingdU ?" '^ What is this 
 dread that is on the foreigners ?" 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary,
 
 cxli 
 
 ccvri. At this time lived a Donall M'Daire, who, it is probable, was 
 the same as the last-mentioned writer. There are two poems ascribed to 
 him, both possessing a good deal of merit. The first consists of one 
 hundred and sixty-eight verses, beginning "'21 tiieic gujt media c'ajimd!" 
 " Oh son ! that a reproach are thy arms !" addressed to some young 
 man that he calls " son of the Earl," but there is no clue to discover 
 who he was. 
 
 Copy in the collection of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 The second poem consists of one hundred and sixteen verses, begin- 
 ning " gedll jte mctoine moldb be," " Pledge of reward the praise of God," 
 in praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 
 Copy in possession of Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1580. 
 
 covin. MuiRCHEARTACH O'CioNGA flourished at this time. He was 
 author of a poem on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and upon the 
 benefits that man derives from his sufferings and death. The poem con- 
 sists of one hundred and eighty-four verses, beginning " Oeijic caij- cogctii 
 cijed/iW," " A pleasant burden is the war of a Lord." 
 
 A fine copy of this poem is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccix. At this time flourished Flann, son of Owen M'Craith (Ma- 
 grath) a Munster poet, author of the following poems : 
 
 1. One hundred and eighty-four verses on Thomas Butler, tenth Earl 
 of Ormond, or, as the poet calls him, Earl of Gowran, who succeeded 
 to that title when but a youth, in 1564, and died in 1614. This poem 
 begins " eolac me tti/i fnei/^ge dn Idjtld," " I know the standard of the Earl." 
 
 2. One hundred and seventy-six verses on Death and Judgment, begin- 
 ning " pab mVccij m'ped;tari cc(i;ire," " Long my grave my charter land." 
 
 Copies of these two poems in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 3. Eighty verses on the miserable state of Ireland, beginning " lomb'cc 
 edgndc £115 S^'"?" " Many are the woes of Erin." 
 
 Copy in collection of John M'Namara, Esq.
 
 cxlii 
 
 A. D. 1583. 
 
 ccx. On the 13th of March this year, died Teargual og, son of 
 
 Fearghal Mac anBhaiud, author of an Elegy ou Hugh, son of Hugh duff 
 
 O'Donell, written during the life time of Hugh^ two hundred and twenty 
 
 verses, beginning " j^Ii c^tctc dij/teacTjj- bfrjl CbonTjll," " No time of sorrow 
 
 to the rac« of Conall." 
 
 2. An Elegy on the death of €on, son of Calbhach, son of Hugh, son 
 
 of Hugh duff O'Donell, three hundred and twenty verses, beginning 
 
 " pill tabcug rdi)) <t Cirie," " Turn thy face from us. Oh Erin." 
 
 Copies of these in the manuscript collections of Rev. Doctor O'Brien, 
 
 and of the Assistant Secretary, 
 
 A. D. 1584. 
 
 ^cxi. RoRY, or Roderich, son of Aodh M'Craith, flourished at the 
 time that Feagh M'Hugh O'Byrne was elected chief of his tribe. Copies 
 of tAVo poems written by him have come down to our time, and are in the 
 collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 1. The Inauguration Ode of Feagh Mac Hugh O'Byrne, one hundred 
 and twenty verses, beginning " p5;tct cit-rjiiijte tXf cjiu nh^o\T)" " A warn- 
 uig to assemble the race of Brann/* 
 
 The Brann here mentioned, was Brann the black. King of Leinster, 
 who died in the year 601, from whom the O'Brainns, or O' Byrnes derive 
 their name and lineage. 
 
 2. A poem on the family of O'Bynie, of Ranelagh, thirty-two verses, 
 beginning " Ciondy- <tcct tin cfteafc^tt d^'coij," " How is this tribe within." 
 
 Copies of these poems are in the possession of the family of O'Byrne, 
 of Cabinteely ; of James Hardiman, Esq. a member of this Society ; and 
 in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxii. At this time also flourished Owen, son of Hugh O'Coffev, a 
 poet of Leinster, and author of the following pieces:
 
 cxllii 
 
 1. A poem in praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the blessed 
 Virgin Mary, beginning " pc(6cl ctjmnigiecCjt coijt leiriB," " Long is remem- 
 bered the justice of a child." 
 
 2. A poem in praise of Rory O'More, chieftain of Leix. In the course 
 of the poem the author mentions that twenty-five of the ancestors of his 
 hero swayed the sceptre of Ireland. This poem consists of two hundred 
 and four verses, beginning " COdijiiS ceirje rt ctefllac gdoibil," " Fire still 
 exists on the hearths of the Gathelians." 
 
 3. A poem in praise of Brian O'Conor, of O'Faly, beginning, " pclil- 
 515 co-frxif clu IdigecJ))," " It is Paly that upholds the fame of Leinster." 
 
 Copies of these poems, in hand-writing nearly the same age as the 
 original, are in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxiii. At this time also flourished Mahon O'Higgin, a retainer of the 
 O'Byrnes. He was author of the following pieces : 
 
 1. A poem in praise of Leinster, and of Felim, son of Feagh M'Hugh 
 O'Byrne, one hundred and twenty verses, beginning " C;te6 60 co^^ cogtttj 
 Uijectn?" " What has impeded the war of Leinster?" 
 
 2. A poem shewing that it is a profitable employment to constantly 
 praise God, and pray for his blessings, one hundred and seventy-six 
 verses, beginning " ^laomcct tt)i obaijt lomjictb be," " Praising of God is a 
 holy work." This poem is, by some persons, ascribed to Mahon O'Hayne, 
 
 Copies in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxiv. At the same time with the four last-mentioned writers lived 
 Donald M'Eochaidh (M'Kcogh), a retainer of the House of O'Byrne, 
 of Ranelagh, county of Wicklow. He has left us a poem of forty-four 
 verses on the return of Felim, son of Feagh M'Hugh O'Byrne, the chief 
 of his tribe, from a journey he made to the north. It begins " Ci^c ;iem 
 pailcej-i a pheilim," " Attend to my welcome, oh Felim." 
 
 Copies of this are in the Book of O'Byrne, in the library of James 
 Hardiman, Esq. and in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxv. At this period also lived Fergal, son of Lughaidh (Louis) 
 M'Eochaidh, or M'Keogh, the author of a poem upon seven of the 
 descendants of John O'Byrne, of Ranelagh. In these are included
 
 cxliv 
 
 Feagh M'Hugh O'Bynie and his sons, and Conall and Catbaoir, his 
 brothers. The poem begins " COoiji^eipo/t Irfoc Iwgetty rpoib/' " Seven 
 heroes that bound to battic." 
 
 Copies in the same coMectious as those mentioned in the foregoing 
 article. 
 
 ccxvi. Cotemporary with these writers was Donald, son of Feargan- 
 AiNM M'EocHAion, or M'Keogh. He was author of an address to 
 Brian, son of Felini O' Byrne, upon his return from a voyage to England, 
 fifty-six verses, beginning " ptfilce jiomac a. Ob/tiain lOb/toiJi," " Welcome to 
 thee, Brian O'Byrne." 
 
 Copies as before. 
 
 ccxvii. At this period also flourished Niall O'Rooney, who was also 
 a retainer of the O'Byrne's of Ranelagh, that so long contended against 
 ihe English power. 
 
 He was author of the following pieces: 
 
 i. A poem in praise of Leinster, and its leader Feagh M'Hugh, one 
 hundred and eighty verses, beginning " COoji coijt crtic tui/t c;tioc Laigean," 
 " Great dues of all belongs to Leinster." 
 
 2. A poem on Feagh M'Hugh O'Byrne, one hundred and twelve 
 verses, beginning " C0iti6 crdi;ic <x ccedfi pbiaca," " It is time to go on 
 Feagh's account." 
 
 Copies in the book of O'Byrne, in possession of the O'Byrnes of 
 Cabinteely, in the library of James Hardiman, Esq. and with the Assist- 
 ant Secretary. 
 
 ccxviii. Angus, son of Dorj' O'Daly, lived at the same time with the 
 above-mentioned writers. He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. In praise of the O'Byrnes of Ranelagh, sixty verses, beginning 
 " bid liB <i IdocfiYjb gaoidil !" " God be with you, oh Irish heroes !" 
 
 Copies as before. 
 
 2. In praise of Felim, son of Feagh M'Hugh O'Byrne, chief of the 
 Gabha'd Raghnaill, or O'Byrnes of Ranelagh, and of all the other septs 
 of the O'Byrnes at the latter end of the sixteenth century. This poem 
 consists of fifty-two verses, beginning " J^ugcij- <ti>)tT)!)jieatc( cliji pheilim," 
 " I gave false judgment on Felim." 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 cxlv 
 
 ccxix. Donald Carrach M'Eochaidh (M'Keogh), also lived at 
 this time. He was author of a composition, in verse and prose, in praise 
 of the O'Byrncs of Ranelagh, particularly Felim, son of Feagh M'Hugh 
 O'Byrne. It begins " lom&a u/tftaim mg cloin Cdtcioi^i," " Many honours' 
 belong to the descendants of Cathaoir." 
 
 The Cathaoir here mentioned, was Cathaoir mor, monarch of Ireland 
 in the second century, from whom the O'Byrnes are descended. 
 
 Copies as before. 
 
 ccxx. At this time also lived M'Amhlaoidh or M'Awley, chief of 
 Duhallow, in the county of Corke. He was a religious man, and the 
 reputed author of some prophecies, in Irish verse, said to refer to our 
 times, copies of which are in the hands of almost every Irish reader. 
 
 ccxxi. Dermod O'Coffey, a poet of some distinction, also lived about 
 this time. He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. One huirdred and fifty verses on the death of Owen O'Coffey and 
 his wife, beginning " Oct )iell ojtejta 0|- ^a.t Uij-tiig," " Two clouds of woe 
 over Uisneach's land."' 
 
 2. One hundred and sixty verses on the death of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, beginning " bidn cloiiie a. necc d Jidtdft," " The protection of the 
 children is in the death of their father." 
 
 3. One hundred and fifty-six verses on the same subject, beginning 
 " pr a Jjecttd haf Ciject^tna," " The price of life is the death of a Lord." 
 
 4. One hundred and forty-eight verses, on Christ's satisfaction, begin- 
 ning " COa]^-^ dj' dibiie anc(5c(i6 b)ieitirn," " Alas, the pleading is against 
 the Judge." 
 
 5. One hundred and fifty-six verses on Christ's goodness to man, 
 beginning " CPdi/ig Tide t:ciiti5 50 -cectg (t'oj," " Alas, that I had not re- 
 course to the house of the king." 
 
 6. One hundred and sixty verses on the same subject, beginning 
 " beacaiji aibTiecty edjicti ^^105," " Powerful the argument the tributes of a 
 king." 
 
 Fine copies of all these poems are in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary.
 
 «xlvi 
 
 A. D. 1585. 
 
 ccxxii. Nicholas Walsh, Bishop of Ossory, was killed on the 14th 
 of December this year, by a person of the name of James Dullard, who 
 had been cited by the bishop for adultery. This prelate, with the assist- 
 ance of John Kearney, treasurer of Saint Patrick's, Dublin, and Doctor 
 Nehemiah Donellan, afterwards Archbishop of Tuani, began to translate 
 the New Testament into Irish, which was afterwards finished by Doctor 
 William O'Donell, Archbishop of Tuam. 
 
 ccxxiii. John Kearney, treasurer of Saint Patrick's, Dublin, was the 
 cotemporary and intimate friend of Doctor Walsh, above mentioned. He 
 wrote and published a catechism in Irish, which was the first book ever 
 printed in Irish types. He also, with the assistance of his friend Walsh, 
 and Dr. Nehemiah Donellan, Archbishop of Tuam, began a translation 
 of the New Testament into Irish. He died about the year 1600. 
 
 A. D 1586. 
 
 cexxiv. About this time flourished Muirchkartagh O'Coffev^ author 
 of the following poems : 
 
 1. On the salvation of man by the merits of Christ, one hundred and 
 forty verses, beginning " blijib Imij leigea^ d cd/taii)," " Perfection of 
 physician is the cure of his friend." 
 
 2. On the death of Gearoid, or Garrett, Lord of Delvin, one hundred 
 and forty-eight verses, beginning " C0ai;i5 if 6ailearn bori 615 bpom," 
 " Alas, that sorrow is attendant on the drink.'' 
 
 3. On William Nugent, who possessed great power in Delvin, one 
 hundred and twenty-four verses, beginning " bo jni clu aiz oigpeacbct," 
 " Place of inheritance gives reputation." 
 
 4. On Christopher Nugent, Baron of Delvin, one hundred and eighty- 
 four verses, beginning " gedll j\e iMi^lacz a\m Oajiu?)," " The title of 
 Baron is the promise of an Earldom." 
 
 Fine copies of all these poems are in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary.
 
 cxlvii 
 
 A. D. 1581. 
 
 ccxxr. At this time flourished Maolmuibe, son of Conula Mc an 
 Bhaird (Ward). He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. An address to red Hugh, son of black Hugh O'Donell, chieftain of 
 Tirconell, who, in the year 1587, before he had attained the sixteenth 
 year of his age, was decoyed into the hands of the English, carried to- 
 Dublin, confined in a tower of the Castle, and treated with great cruelty. 
 In this poem, which consists of one hundred and ninety-six verses, be- 
 ginning " lomcr;! c'tttcTjjiye d Qio6 ;tr-<Ji^/' " Support thy great afflictions, 
 oh red Hugh," the author encourages his youthful prince to bear up 
 against the persecutions of his enemies, and advises him to place his 
 confidence in God, the defender of the just, and the chastiser of the 
 wicked, 
 
 2. A poem, beginning " Cjieab purtftai^- o^tam tt '2lo6," " What hast thou 
 (bund on me, oh Hugh," sixty-eight verses. It appears by this poem 
 that the author had fallen under the displeasure of Aodh roc, with whom 
 he remonstrates, asserts that he was always his faithful friend, even 
 while he was in unjust captivity with the Enghsh, and accuses Aodh of 
 injustice in opposing his interests. 
 
 3. A poem, beginning " Ql 6T,r) i\f elect ic aeMj^" " O castle below, 
 thou art solitary," one hundred and thirty-four verses, upon the deserted 
 state of the castle of Donegal, after its being dismantled by Aodh roe 
 O'Donell^ for fear it should fall into the hands of the English. 
 
 Fine copies of these poems arc in the collection of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary, 
 
 A. D. 1588. 
 
 ecxxvi. DuBHTHACH ('/)ij^ ) O'DuiGENAN, flourished at this time, as 
 appears by the twenty-third rann (stanza) of his poem in praise of Aodh, 
 or Hugh, son of Feardorcha O'Neill, two hundred and forty verses.
 
 cxlv 
 
 HI 
 
 beginning " Cumclm C|(oi»ic 60 cloin ^kiU," " Let us make a chronicle for 
 the O'Neills." In this poem the author enumerates twelve chiefs of the 
 O'Neills, who governed that tribe for a period of two hundred and six- 
 teen years, from the time of Niall og, son of Niall mor, to the third 
 year of Aodh, sou of Feardorcha, which, according to this poem, was 
 A. D. 1588. 
 
 A fine copy of this poem is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 2. Three hundred and sixty-eight verses on the History of the O'Don- 
 nells, beginning " lectncdr) c;ioi))ic Clan bdlaij," " Let us pursue the 
 Chronicle of Clann Dalaig/i." This poem gives a catalogue of twenty- 
 five kings, or princes, who governed Tirconell for four hundred and one 
 years, with the number of years that each prince ruled ; from the eighth 
 year of Hugh roe O'Donell, A. D. 1600, in which year the poem was 
 written, .up to Eigneachan O'Donell, who became chief of Cineal Conall, 
 or Tirconnell, A. D. 1199. 
 
 The O'Donells are called by the Irish Clann Dalaigh, and Muintir 
 Dalaigh (Daly) from Dalach, their great ancestor, as they are called 
 O'Donell, from his grandson Donall mor. 
 
 ■Copy of this poem is in the library of the Rev. Doctor O'Brien, Irish 
 professor in the College of Maynooth. 
 
 ccxxvii. At this period lived Iolland O'Donellan, a Tirone bard, 
 author of a poem on the O'Neills, particularly John, son of Conn. 
 This poem consists of one hundred and thirty-two verses, beginning 
 " Cciiwcc dnrtm a nei^titi/' " A soul has come into Erin." 
 
 Copy in O'Gara's collection, in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1590. 
 
 ccxxviii. At this time flourished Cuchonacht, son of Maoilseachlainn 
 O'Daly. He was the friend and companion of Aodh roe O'Donell, to 
 whom he addressed the poem, beginning " Ciorjuj- 60 prjccpirjyi '2(o6?" 
 " How could I leave Hugh?" 
 
 Copy in possession of Assistant Secretary.
 
 cxlix 
 
 ccxxix. At this time flourished Cohmac O'Daly, a Munster poet, 
 who was the author of an elegy on the death of Donogh M'Carthy, one 
 hundred and sixty verses, beginning " pdbct dj- oij\af §5 6oj)cc(6ci," " Long 
 the death sickness of Donogh." 
 
 Copy in possession of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 ccxxx. Cotemporary Avith the above was Dermod Mac an Bhaird, 
 (Ward) who wrote an elegy on the death of Alexander, son of Conor roe 
 M'Donald, chief of the M'Donalds of Ireland, one hundred and eighty 
 verses, beginning " pecJ|-6c( a-f ccti)ice clctrj t)6m)]diU," " Henceforward 
 mournful are the M-Donalds." 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1600. 
 
 ecxxxi. At the commencement of this century many fine poets flourished 
 in Ireland, who found protection and patronage from the nobility of the 
 country, as well amongst the descendants of the Anglo-Normans, as from 
 the native Irish princes. Several of these poels, celebrated, in verse, the 
 magnanimity and bounty of their respective patrons, or sung the valorous 
 deeds, liberal actions, or pious lives of their ancestors. Some of them, 
 not satisfied with exalting their heroes to the skies, drew comparisons be- 
 tween them and their cotemporaries, or between their respective ancestors, 
 in which one party was degraded in proportion as the other was elevated. 
 Amongst the most remarkable of this latter description of writers was 
 Tadug, (or Teige) son of Daire Mac Brodv, generally known by the 
 name of Teige M' Daire. He was principal poet to Donogh O'Brien, 
 fourth Earl of Thomond, and, as his chief, was much favoured by the 
 English government; and the Meathian, Ultonian, and Conacian princes 
 were not so, but rather looked upon with a jealous eye ; he was deter- 
 mined, so far as he could, to elevate the house of O'Brien above the 
 tribes descended from Niall of the nine hostages, such as the O'Neills,
 
 O'Donells, &c., or from his brother Brian, such as the O'Conors, M'Der- 
 inolts, O'Kellys, O'Rourkes, O'lloilhs, &c. For this purpose he at- 
 tacks the works of Torna Eigeas, a writer wliose poems we have ahvady 
 described uuder the year 405. This drew an answer from Lughaidh 
 O'Clerv, a northern bard, who defended the memory of Torna, and 
 supported the honor of the Heremonians. Teige, shortly after, replied 
 to Lughaidh, and this induced others of the Ultonian, and some of the 
 Conaght poets, to take part in the contest, which was carried on with a 
 good deal of heat on both sides. The poems written on this subject are 
 generally collected together, and are called the ^om<inha6, or contention 
 of the bards, in which a great quantity of the ancient history of Ireland 
 is recited in elegant verse. Of the poets who took a part in the lomur- 
 hadh, or contention, Teige Mac Daire, Ferfeasa O'Caintc, Torlogh 
 O'Brien, and Art og O'Keetle, were most remarkable on the side of 
 Leath Mhoglia (Munster and Leinster) ; and Lughaidh O'Clery, Aodh 
 O'Donell^ Robert M'Arthur, Baoghalach (Boetius) roe M'Egan, Anluan 
 M'Egan, M'Dermott of Moylurg, and John O'Clery, were the cham- 
 pions who supported the honor, and contended for the precedence of 
 Leath Chuinn (Meath, Ulster, and Conaght). 
 
 Of the writers of this century we shall begin our account with 
 
 ccxxxii. Teige Mac Daire, who, as we have just now seen, began the 
 contention of the bards, but whose poems were not entirely conKned to 
 historical subjects. The following pieces make the entire catalogue of his 
 works that have come under our observation. 
 
 1. A poem of one hundred and twenty-eight verses, upon the birth of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ, beginning " bectJiaid 50 •fuhab d i-fol ?tbciim," " Be 
 joyful. Oh children of Adam." 
 
 2. A didactic poem, of two hundred and twenty verses, addressed to 
 Donogh O'Brien, fourth earl of Thomond, upon his inauguration as chief 
 of his tribe. It begins " Q06\^ <iz<x <H;i tectgayj plata," " Much depends 
 upon the instruction of a prince." 
 
 In this poem the author lays down rules for the guidance of his prince 
 in the important affair of the government of his people. The precepts 
 here delivered are merely a versified abridgment of our monarch Cor- 
 inac's instructions to his son Cairbre Liffeachar, written about tlie middle
 
 cli 
 
 ■of llie third century of the Christian era, an account of which work we 
 Jiave given under the year 250. This piece of Mac Daire's has been 
 publisiied in the Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Dublin, accom- 
 panied with a Latin and an English translation, by the lafe Theophilus 
 O' Flanagan, Esq. 
 
 3. A poem of twenty verses, addressed to the same prince as the 
 foregoing poem, containing some further instructions for his general 
 conduct. This poem begins " COo ceiijie j\au) br,- tx Oboncab," " My four 
 stanzas to you, Oh Donogh." This also has been published, whh an 
 English translation, in the Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Dublin. 
 
 4. A didactic poem of one hundred verses, beginning " Cai/tg'd mo 
 j-ecCc«a a. ^-i'd m5(ti(ji)i," " Accept my warnings, Oh race of Brian," ad- 
 vising the O'Briens to avoid war and the enmity of tlie bards. 
 
 (5. A poem of one hundred and forty verses, beginning " ^Inoij- fti'olaim 
 an ftedcmab," " Now I pay the tithe," upon the death of seven males and 
 three females of the house of O'Brien. 
 
 6. A poem of one hundred and forty-four verses, beginning " Olc 6o 
 td5ft(J|- a Cboftna,'" " 111 liast thou argued. Oh Torna." In this poem the 
 author endeavours to shew that the Munster tribes have a right to pre- 
 cedence before those of the other provinces ; as the former are descended 
 from Heber, the eldest son of Milesius, and the latter are the progeny 
 of Heremon and Ir, two of the younger sons of that Spanish chief. He 
 attacks Torna Eigeas, a poet of the fifth century, who, as we have shewn 
 under the year 405, was the preceptor of Niall, monarch of Ireland, and 
 Core, king of Cashel ; and who, in his poem, beginning "bctil caca i6i;i 
 Cofic If jNictll," endeavours to reconcile these two heroes, who had quar- 
 relled with each other, and shews that Niall had a right to respect and 
 obedience from his opponent. 
 
 In the ninth stanza of this poem Teige asserts that Hibernia, the Latin 
 name of Ireland, is derived from Heber, the great ancestor of the Mo- 
 monian tribes. This poem of Mac Daire's was the cause of the loiDcC/tfcad, 
 or contention of the bards, which was warmly carried on for some time 
 between the poets of Leath Chuinn and Leath Mliogha. 
 
 7. A poem of six hundred and eighty-eight verses, beginning " Ciyij-i 
 lujaid jtem' lctB;t<x6," " Attend to my words, Oh Lughaidh," in reply to
 
 clii 
 
 Lughaidh O'Clery, who, in answer to Teige, bad written a defence of 
 Torna Eigeas, and asserted the superiority of the house of O'Neill over 
 that of the O'Briens. 
 
 8. A poem of one hundred and twenty-four verses, beginning " Ql Lujctib 
 Ubjitxn) 50 yeim," " Oh Lughaidh, let us speak mildly," a further reply to 
 Lughaidh O'Clery's rejoinder to the foregoing poem. 
 
 9. A poem of ninety-six verses, beginning " "?! 6r,rie labjitx-f <tn laoi," 
 " Oh man, who recitest the poem," in answer to Boetius roe Mac Egan's 
 poem, beginning " CO^g 6^ peiceafn pedfi gctoil.*" In this poem the author 
 declares his name, and defies his adversary to do so. He still insists on 
 the right of Munster to precedence before the other provinces, and insists 
 on his former argument, that the name Hibernia is derived from Heber, 
 the eldest son of Milesius, from whom the O'Briens and other Munster 
 families are descended. 
 
 10. A poem of forty-four verses, beginning " J^li 5U<(iy learn c'uftcdfi ti 
 J[o6," " Not dangerous to me are thy darts. Oh Aodh," in answer to a 
 poem written by Aodh O'Donell, in defence of the honor and precedence 
 of Leith Chuinn^ 
 
 11. A further reply to Aodh O'Donell, six hundred and eighty-eight 
 verses, beginning " Ni bjteit o;tm 60 bp.e\t « '2(o6," " No decision to me is 
 thy judgment, oh Aodh." In some copies of the lomarbadh this poem 
 is blended, by way of dialogue, with Aodh O'Donell's poem, beginning 
 " COectj-d 60 tdgfidi^ d Cbaibg," so as to make the two poems appear but 
 as one piece written by that author. In these copies M'Daire's poem 
 begins at the second rann, and that and all the other ranns belonging to 
 him are marked with Ca, the two first letters of his christian name. 
 
 12. A poem of two hundred and fifty-two verses, beginning " 5° cceti6 
 bo~ 5<iiftm tk bfiatciift," in answer to the Rev. Robert M'Arthur, a Francis- 
 can friar of the Irish convent of that order, in Louvain, who had written 
 in defence of Leath Chuinn, against M'Daire. In this poem the author 
 desires the author to attend to the duties of his order, and tells him it is 
 unbecoming in a clergyman to meddle in other matters. 
 
 13. A poem beginning " J*>ii teitim (oci zdz^j^a. fnaoic," " I fly not before 
 a boasting argument," one hundred and sixty-eight verses, in reply to a 
 
 * See page civ.
 
 cliii 
 
 poem written by Baoglialacli roe M'Egan, beginning " Vt,jx]6 }\em cct5|i<Jfrt 
 d C/icti^g," " Wait for my argument, oh Teige." 
 
 14. A poem of one hundred and eight Aerses, beginning " poifii6 mo 
 lei|-ge a le\t Chr,r}" " Await my hidolence, oh Leath Chuinn." In this 
 poem the author desires the poets of Leath Cliuinn not to be impatient 
 at his tardiness in replying to them. He says there is no indolence with- 
 out cause, and his slowness in reply arises from the great activity of his 
 mind. He tells them they have provoked his satire, but he is unwilling 
 to satirize. 
 
 Copies of the above poems of M'Daire are in the collection of the 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 15. A poem of two hundred and forty-four verses, beginning " Caj-ccrtji 
 gdoibil er-g (Xoin pi/i," " The fall of the Irish is the death of one man," 
 on the death of Donogh, fourth Earl of Thomond, who died in the year 
 1624. 
 
 16. A poem of sixty verses, beginning " /^1i Zj^nt bob 6ol tx ftia/tmi^d,'' 
 *' Untimely thy departure, oh Dermod," addressed to Dermod, son of 
 Morogh O'Brien, dissuading him from leaving his people. 
 
 17. A poem of thirty-six verses, beginning " JJojci gac beaia fceic 6occ," 
 " The choice of lives is to be poor," on adopting a life of poverty. 
 
 18. A poem of one hundred and twelve verses, beginning " Qi^fcjid^^ 
 crgam c( c;toi rjttofn," " Come to me, oh holy Cross." An address to the 
 Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Copies of the four last-mentioned poems are in the library of John 
 M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 ccxxxiii. LuGHAiDH O'Clery, the chief bard of Tirconnel, was the 
 great opponent of the last-mentioned writer, and the most powerful 
 advocate of all the bards of Leath Chuinn, for the honour and prece- 
 dence of the descendants of Niall of the nine hostages, as well as the first 
 to write in defence of Torna Eigeas. He was author of the following 
 pieces : 
 
 1. A poem of three hundred and forty verses, beginning " Ql ChdiSg 
 •flO. cdcctoifi Z6j\r)tx,'" " Oh Teige revile not Torna," in answer to Teige 
 M'Dairc's poem, beginning " Olc 6o ttts/trtf a. Cfjo/trjcl," in which Teige
 
 cliv 
 
 had attacked Torna Eigeas,the poet of Niall the Great, and endeavoured 
 io show that the Momonian tribes were superior to the descendants ot 
 Heremon and Ir. 
 
 2. A poem of nine hundred and eighty-eight verses, beginning " bo 
 crctlct tifx tdi^j^ajf d caibg," " I heard all you have pleaded, oh Teige." 
 In this poem the author brings many authorities from history, and from 
 Irish proverbs, to prove that the Heremonian tribes were always considered 
 superior to the Heberians. He insists that the name Hibernia, which 
 Teige asserted Avas derived from Heber, is of no weight, as it is not the 
 language of Ireland. 
 
 3. A poem of seventy-two verses, beginning " J^ld bfioyb meiye a fneic- 
 baipe," *' Provoke me not, oh son of Daire." In this poem the author 
 says there are many better poets than himself in the country in which he 
 resides, but as they are silent, he finds it necessary to take up the subject 
 in debate. He declares his respect for the tribe of Cas, but truth and 
 the honour of the Heremonians compel him to defen.1 Torua Eigeas 
 against the attacks of his adversary. 
 
 4. A poem of one hundred and twenty verses, beginning " Qir\ ccW,ne 
 me d meic £)cti;»e," " Do you hear me, oh son of Daire." In this the same 
 subject is continued as in the foregoing poems. The author takes a review 
 of the contest, and calls upon Teige to desist from a strife so unavailing 
 to himself and those he endeavours to elevate above their usual rank. 
 
 Copies of these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ecxxxiv.Rev. Robert M'Arthur, D. D. a Franciscan friar of the Irish 
 convent of that order in Louvain, took a part in the contention of the 
 bards, on the side of Leath Chuinn. He was author of two poems, 
 which he wrote while at Louvain, in defence of Torna Eigeas, and the 
 rights of the Heremonians against Teige M'Daire. 
 
 1. A poem of one hundred and forty verses, beginning " COed'ftx <t 
 Cbdibg 6o chdSfidif pel))," " Worse, oh Teige, thyself hast argued." 
 
 2. A poem of seven hundred and eighty-four verses, beginning " "^e 
 ^rtoil cU Chaibg ndc bedftiid," Though you think, oh Teige, it will 
 not do." In this poem the author defends himself against the illiberal 
 reflections of his opponet, contained in his poem, be<:;inning " go cceab 
 6ov 5iiD A t^at^ ; and enters into many particulars of ancient Irish his-
 
 civ 
 
 tory, from which lie deduces arguments to prove the prniccs of Leath- 
 Chuinu should be, and in fact were, superior to the chiefs of Lealh 
 Mhogha. 
 
 Teige, in his abuse of the poet Torna Eigeas, asserted that he was not 
 worthy of credit, or lit to be quoted, on account of his being a Pagan. 
 He is contradicted by the reverend author, who enters into a panegyric 
 on Torna, and insists he was a good Christian ; in proof of which he 
 
 adduces his poems. See the account of Torna Eigeas, under the year 
 
 405. 
 
 Copies of these poems, written by John M'SolIy in the year 1713, are 
 in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxxxv. Baoghalach (Boetius) roe Mac Egan, took a part in the 
 contest of the bards. He was author of two poems in defence of Leath 
 Chuinn against the attacks of Teige M'Daire. 
 
 1. A poem of fifty-two verses, beginning " CO^g 6^ peicedm pedji gdoil," 
 " Woe to him who is obliged to defend a relation." In this short poem 
 the author takes a view of the contest between Teige M'Daire and 
 Lughaidh (Loo-ee) O'Clery. He accuses M'Daire of partiality to his 
 relations, the people of Munster, and asserts, that " to slander the 
 descendants of Conn of the hundred battles, the people of Meath, 
 Ulster, and Conaght, he formed a fabulous history in bald verses, without 
 permanence in foundation, and not found in poems nor in books." 
 
 " t)o toiBeim aiyt cl«TjaiJ> Cif;>5. 
 bo com fe an -femcTf pxhr^X, 
 51 T)6rcli)) indoil gan brdine /ie hrl) 
 f>1tlC Firai;t rt Irtoi 1)0 <J ledb^." 
 
 On the other hand, he asserts that O'Clery's reply to the calumnies 
 of Teige was " written in the schools, and polished with learning and 
 science.^' 
 
 It may not be improper to remark that this author was of a Momonian 
 tribe. 
 
 2. A poem of one hundred and sixty-eight verses, beginning " P'>7/*'5 
 Y~trt) tctgfidf a a Cbdibg," " Wait for my argument, oh Teige." This poem 
 
 y
 
 clvi 
 
 was written in reply to the poem of Teige M'Daire, beginning " "51 6t;ne 
 Uhfxuf oin Ittoi." (See No. 9, page 152.) The author desires M'Daire to 
 defend his claims for the honor of Leath Mogha, by authority, if he can 
 produce any. He denies that the repetition of Teige's assertions has 
 any weight, and insists that one falsehood is not made more true by the 
 telling of a second. 
 
 These poems are beautiful compositions, and contain many useful 
 maxims. 
 
 Fine copies are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxxxvi. Anluain M'Egan also took a part in the contention of the 
 bards, and made use of his pea in defence of Leath Chuinn. He was 
 author of the following pieces : 
 
 1. A poem of fifty-two verses, beginning " f^ldc ciic at) oS|yi ^ raii35," 
 *' Is not this strange work for Teige." In this poem the author treats 
 M'Daire with no great degree of respect. He says he should not con- 
 tend with M'Egan, an acknowledged antiquary and scholar. 
 
 2. A poem, beginning " bj\.ea^ac ym a bean," " That is false, Oh woman," 
 addressed to a female, advising her to avoid vanity and falsehood. 
 
 Copies in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxxxvii. John O'Cleby, a northern poet, took a part in the conten- 
 tion of the bards. To him we are indebted for the following pieces: 
 
 1. A poem of two hundred and seventy-six verses, beginning " Cijfdij 
 d eigyi 6d)ibd," " Attend, Oh ye learned of Ireland." In this poem the 
 author calls on the poets of Leath Chuinn and Leath Mhogha to desist 
 from their disputes, to put an end to their panegyrics ou the descendants 
 of Heber and Heremon, and to do justice to the progeny of their brother 
 Ir, to whose magnanimity the bards were indebted for the protection 
 given them in Ulster, when they were expelled from all the other pro- 
 vinces in Ireland, in the time of Conor Mac Nessa, who, he asserts, was 
 the first Irish Christian. He gives a particular instance of the bounty of 
 Conor on this occasion, in his endowment of the poet Athairne of Binn 
 Eadair, with a large portion of land, and bestowing on him one hundred 
 and fifty milch cows, with their profits and increase. He shows that to
 
 clrii 
 
 the race of Ir our country was indebted for its great law-giver OUamh- 
 fodhla, (the learned doctor) and for a long train of heroes, poets, and 
 philosophers that grace the pages of Irish history; such as Fergus, son of 
 Roy, Cormac Conluingios, Conor Mac Nessa, Conall Cearnach, Cuchul- 
 lan Cuniusgrach, Loingseach, Iriall, Fionntan, Diothorba, Rossa, Con- 
 ghall, Cathbhaith, Conlaoch, Naise, Ainle and Arden, &c. He says, if 
 the stars of heaven, the white sands of the sea, the blades of grass of the 
 field, and the leaves of the forest be numbered, they will be nearly 
 equalled by the numbers of the estimable progeny of Ir. He shows that 
 twenty-five of the most potent of the Irish monarchs were of this family, 
 and that in possession of seven of those princes the sceptre of Ireland 
 remained for a great number of years, without the intervention of a 
 prince of any other line ; and that of this tribe also was the only female 
 that ever held the reins of government in this country, Macha Mong- 
 ruadh, the foundress of Emania ; in after ages commemorated by a town 
 built nearly on the same scite, and called after her Ard Macha, or, as it 
 is called at this time, Ardmagh. 
 
 In this piece there are preserved a vast quantity of Irish history, and 
 beautiful flights of poetry. 
 
 2. A poem of twenty verses, beginning " Cia ^-o bedf^fo.^ ^ O;iei|;oe," 
 " Who is this that lops the Rreifne," in praise of the families of 
 O'Rourke and O'Reilly. 
 
 Fine copies of these poems are iu the possession of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary. 
 
 ccxxxviii. Mac Dermod, of Moylurg, wrote a few verses on the sub- 
 ject in debate between the bards. These verses claim no attention. 
 
 ccxxxix, Mac Con O'Clerv, a northern poet, flourished at this pe- 
 riod. He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. In praise of the O'Neills, beginning " SealB Ci/itoji tt'5 cttcme J^^elU," 
 " The possession of Erin belongs to Niall's race," two hundred and 
 thirty-six verses. This poem was written in the time of lorlogh Lui- 
 neach O'Neill, and gives an account of several illustrious characters of 
 the O'Neills' progenitors, who swayed the sceptre of Ireland, or were 
 provincial chiefs after the destruction of the monarchy. Accounts of
 
 clviii 
 
 several battles fought and other great actions performed by these heroes 
 are detailed in the course of tliis poem. By the last rann but two, the 
 poet shows that there were thirty-five generations from Torlogh Lui- 
 neach, son of Niall Conallach O'Neill, up to Niall of the Nine Hostages, 
 their great ancestors, from whom the tribe are named. 
 
 A valuable and beautiful copy of this poem is in the library of John 
 Mac Namara, of Sandymount, Esq. 
 
 2. A poem of thirty-six verses, beginning " 51 becin net lu;t5(t)) Itjme," 
 " Oh woman of the naked legs." 
 
 This small piece has nothing to recommend it. 
 
 Copies in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxL. O'Clery, the chief of his tribe, who flourished at this period, 
 wrote a poem, consisting of one hundred and twenty-eight verses, in praise 
 of Saint Francis, founder of the religious order of Franciscans. The 
 poem begins " t)o caitpin c^fxd CjiTfre." 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxLT. GioLLA-IosA O'Daly flourished at this time. He was author 
 of a poem, consisting of one hundred and forty-eight verses, in praise 
 of Felim and Redmond, two sons of Fiach M'Hugh O'Byrne, chief of 
 all the septs of O'Byrne, in the time of Queen Elizabeth. 
 
 In this poem, which begins " jTftearnci an cogdib c^tioc IcdjedJi," " The 
 root of the war is Leinster," the writer introduces some historical notices 
 of transactions in the province of Leinster, in which the O'Byrnes were 
 principal actors. He also describes Glen Molaur, and the castle of 
 Feao^h, son of Hugh O'Byrne, who so terribly annoyed the English in 
 the latter end of the sixteenth century. 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxLii. At this time also lived Muireadhach O'Daly. He was 
 author of a poem of three hundred and ninety-six verses, on the noble 
 family of Fitzgerald, beginning " CrtnpYjgeci;! liom lo/ig M ppeaft," " The 
 race of men shall be sung by me." In this poem the author gives a 
 particular account of the chief families that sprung from Maurice Fitz- 
 gerald, who accompanied Strongbow in his expedition to Ireland, on the
 
 clix 
 
 invitation of Dermod Mac Morough, king of Leinster, in the year 1168. 
 Of the principal branches of this noble stock are the princely House of 
 Leinster, the White Knight, the Knight of Glenn, the Knight of Kerry,, 
 the Fitz-Gibbons, &c. &c. &c. The minor branches of these respective 
 houses are also mentioned, and the names of their ancestors, in whom 
 each tribe branched off from the main stock, are given ; with some account 
 of the principal actions of their lives, the castles they built, and the 
 religious houses they founded. 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxLiii. Madrice O'Maolconaire flourished at this time. He was au- 
 thor of a poem, consisting of twenty-eight verses, in praise of Owen 
 O'Halloran, a harper. It begins " Ofiperf 65 dinm eojciit)," "Orpheus, 
 junior, is the name of Owen." 
 
 Copy with Assistant Secretary.. 
 
 ccxLiv. Cu-Ulaidh Mac-an-Bhaird (Ward), flourished at this period. 
 He was a retainer of the family of O'Donell, chiefs of Tirconnell, and 
 wrote an elegy on the death of Graine, the sister of Aodh roe O'Donell, 
 and wife of Art og, son of Torlogh Luineach O'Neill, two hundred 
 verses, beginning " jTTjjeaU fOj\mT,t> p-rjl bcdciij," " Remnant of the envy 
 of noble Daly's blood." This much admired young lady died of the 
 measles at Beal-atha-Seanaigh (Ballyshannon) shortly after the celebra- 
 tion of her marriage. 
 
 Copy in the collections of the Rev. Doctor O'Brien, and of the Assist- 
 ant Secretary. 
 
 ccxLV. Feargal og Mac an Bhaird lived at this time, and to him 
 we are indebted for the following poems : 
 
 1. A poem in praise of the Magennis's, Lords of Ibh-Eathach (Iveagh). 
 This poem consists of three hundred verses, beginning " lub^Ojxz priecma. 
 ptjl V," " A garden of vines, the race of Ir." 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 2. On the people of Scotland renouncing the religion of their fore- 
 fathers, and denying the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the 
 Eucharist.
 
 clx 
 
 This poem consists of one hundred and four verses, beginning 
 " t>Uf{-f(ir) m'edcbf^a. 50 h'JllbTjr)," " Sorrowful my journey to Alban (Scot- 
 land.) 
 
 Copy in collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 3. A poem of one hundred and four verses, beginning " Oeixm'^a.6 
 -fMXp. udim 50 h'ei;tiii," " West from me blessings to Ireland," written whilst 
 the author was in Scotland. The OeciriugdiJ, or Benediction, is several 
 times repeated, and addressed to different parts and persons in Ireland, 
 particularly to Magennis, Lord of Iveagh. 
 
 4. A poem of two hundred and forty-four verses, beginning " CD6;t 60 
 iriill doibnedy Ci/iednb," " Much has the pleasure of Ireland destroyed ;" 
 shewing that the pleasures of Ireland had invited invaders from different 
 regions of the earth, and that the Nemethians, the Tuatha-de-danans, 
 &c. had fallen on her fields ; and that the Milesians had established them- 
 selves. The writer asserts that ancient prophecies will be fulfilled, and 
 that O'Neill will be the Moses that shall deliver the Irish Israelites from 
 the bondage of Pharaoh and the Egyptian host that oppressed and de- 
 stroyed them. 
 
 5. A poem of one hundred and fifty-two verses, beginning " QUf fhocb 
 rftiuji dcdib grtoibil," " Of the race of three, the Gathelians are," on 
 the tribe of O'Favrel, descended from Ir, son of Milesius, whose progeny 
 the author asserts was superior to those of either of his brothers, Here- 
 mon and Heber. 
 
 6. On the descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages, one hundred 
 and ninety-two verses, beginning " (Pdit 60 -fTj^w^ab fvSl J^lglU," " Well 
 situated are the ofl'spring of Niall." 
 
 This poem was written in the time that Torlogh Luineach O'Neill 
 was chief of that tribe. The author asserts that Core of Cashel sub- 
 mitted to Niall, and that from that time all parts of Ireland paid obe- 
 dience to his race. 
 
 7. On the death of Edmond, son of Maolmuire Mc. Suibhne, chief of 
 the M'Swecny's of West Munster, a respectable branch from the great 
 stock of the M'Sweenys of Derry and Donegal. The poem consists of 
 one hundred and forty-eight verses, beginning " Cict £i6ei;t ^rj\ mii^ 
 eamorj," " Who says that Edmond is gone."
 
 clxi 
 
 Copies of the five last-mentioned numbers are in the beautiful and 
 valuable book of O'Gara, in the library of John M'Namara, of Sandy- 
 mount, Esq. 
 
 8. A poem, beginning " CDI5 um tJidij cecilr)5lciiy crmtjji," " After me, 
 woe to him who contracts friendship." 
 
 9. A poem on the accession of James I. to the Crowns of England, 
 Ireland and Scotland, one hundred and twelve verses, beginning " C;<i 
 co;tdi)ie (t cccti^ic Semaij-," " Three Crowns in the Charter of James." 
 
 Copies of the two last-mentioned poems are in the collection of the 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 10. On the death of Aodh, or Hugh, roe O'Donell, who died in Spain, 
 on the 10th of September, 1602, two hundred and seventy-six verses^ 
 beginning " ZedfixX Ci/te -fdn Cafhdn," " Erin died in Spain." 
 
 Copy in the library of Rev. Doctor O'Brien. 
 
 ccxLvi. EoGHAN ROE Mac AN Bhaird (Red Owen Ward), flourished 
 at this time. He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. An address to Aodh roe O'Donell, upon his voyage to Spain, after 
 the defeat of the Irish at Kinsale, in the year 1602. This poem consists 
 of one hundred verses, beginning " T2ob jroi;iei6 c'edc6/ta a ?lot) jirctitj," 
 •' Prosperous was thy voyage. Oh red Hugh." 
 
 2. A poem of ninety-two verses, beginning " t>dna. ctn zuj\(if c;iiallccl/< 
 l-orj," " Bold the journey that has been undertaken here," on Roderick, 
 son of Aodh, son of Manus O'Donell's going to Dublin, and entrusting 
 himself in the hands of the English, after the death of his brother, red 
 Hugh, chief of Tirconnel, who died in Spain. 
 
 3. An elegy on the death of Aodh roe, or red Hugh O'Donell, prince 
 of Tirconnel, one hundred and fifty-six verses, beginning " "21 bear) puai/i 
 pdiU cii/t an ppedftc," " Oh woman that found society in the grave." In 
 this poem the author recites the noble actions of his hero, and shows 
 that his death is cause of grief to Erin, " from sea to sea." 
 
 4. A poem of fifty-two verses, beginning " Cict ^e bpdilce p^ri Ginne,''* 
 " Who does the host of Erne welcome," upon Aodh roe, or red Hugh 
 O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, to whom the Irish of the North looked up as 
 a leader against the English, after the death of red Hugh O'Donell, in 
 the year 1602. The author says, this chief was foretold by Saint Colurab
 
 clxii 
 
 Kill, and by Saint Adamnan, or Adaninanus ; no wonder, tlicrefore, that 
 he should be welcomed by the Irish as the worthy successor of the heroic 
 red Hugh O'Donell. 
 
 5. Eulogium on Rory, son of Rory, son of Maolmordha M'Sweeny, 
 one hundred and ninety-two verses, beginning " Ooij an pile ^iol St^bne," 
 " The prop of the poet, the race of Suibhue." 
 
 Copies of these poems are in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 6. Address to Niall garbh, son of Conn, son of Calbhach O'Donell, 
 confined by King James in the Tower of London, ninety-two verses, 
 beginning " ?l B^taige accc a. t:co;t lonbon,'^ " Oh captive that art in Lon- 
 don's Tower." 
 
 7. On the imprisonment of the O'Donell's, Neachtan and Aodh, by 
 the English, ninety-two verses, beginning " COctiftg ! tty- b^iaije ctft mctc/iaiij 
 n)U)tbfli6, " Alas! captive are the sons of sorrow." 
 
 8. Elegy on the death of Rory O'Donell, first Earl of Tirconell, who 
 died in Rome, on the 8th of July, 1608. This poem begins " OPait 
 ttn fealab pu^ C'/^e," " Erin found good for a time." 
 
 9. On Hugh, son of Rory O'Donell, second Earl of Tirconell, two 
 hundred and eight verses, beginning " poguf fUjxzdcz fton cift cutiib," 
 *' Near is comfort to the north country." 
 
 Copies of the four last-mentioned poems are in the library of the Rev. 
 Doctor O'Brien. 
 
 ccxLVii. At this time flourished Dermod og O'Maolconaire, of whose 
 writings the following have come to our hands : 
 
 1. A poem of fifty-two verses, in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
 beginning " C-ry jtcctcc jtojix beilBe." 
 
 2. A poem of eighty verses, on the same subject as the foregoing, 
 beginning " lomdct dinn) mait tiijt COi^ite," " Many glorious names belong 
 to Mary." 
 
 3. A poem of fifty-two verses, on the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and his apparition to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
 
 Copies of these poems, in the hand-writing of the late Most Reverend 
 Doctor John Carpenter, R. Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, are in the 
 collection of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 clxiii 
 
 ccxLviir. DoNOGii O'FiALAN (O'Phelaii) a poet of Leinster, was cotem- 
 porary with the foregoing authors. He wrote a farewell address to the 
 O'Byriies of Bally-na-corr, begianiiig " beay)OQZ tlig baile r)<x cojijto," 
 " Farewell to Bally-na-corr." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxLix. At this period also flourished S. Mac Colgan, a follower of 
 the house of O'Neill, who wrote a poem on the journey of Art, son of 
 Torlogh O'Neill, to London, one hundred and twenty verses, beginning 
 " J2ob |-Oft<iib (trj ■feabfa foiji," "Happy is this eastern road." 
 
 This poem is sometimes ascribed to Owen roe, son. of William Mac-an- 
 Bhaird, 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary, who procured it from his 
 old and very sincere friend, the late Reverend Father Paul O'Brien, Irish 
 Professor in the College of Saint Patrick, Maynooth, and one of the 
 Acting Committee of this Society, whose justly lamented death was an- 
 nounced to the author whilst writing the above account, on Saturday, 
 20(hMay, 1820. 
 
 ♦• ccL. At this time also flourished Mahon O'Hiffernan, author of 
 a small poem, consisting of only forty-eight verses, beginning " "21 rnic ! 
 m TTieaBftab eigyi," " Oh son ! commemorate not the learned." In this 
 poem the writer axlvises his son not to praise the sages of his country, nor 
 the descendants of Milesius, the ancient possessors of the soil. He tell^ 
 him, if he must praise any one, it would be most his advantage to praise 
 the English. 
 
 Copy in collection of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 ccLi. Brian, son of Angus Mac Coinmhidhe, the chief Ollanih or 
 Professor of O'Neill in Poetry, lived at this time. He is mentioned 
 with great respect by Teige dall O'Higgin, in his poem, beginning 
 " Uai))"5 oibce 50 hedy cctoile.' 
 
 We are unable to say where any of this poet's compositions are now to 
 be found. 
 
 ccLii. Dermod O'Brian, author of a small poem on the river 
 Shanon, flourished at this time. This little piece consists of twenty- 
 
 z
 
 clxiv 
 
 right verses, beginning " 51 Sbioj)tii>)6 OjwaMi) 6o;toifne," " Oh Shanon of 
 Brian Boroimhe." 
 
 Copy in possession of Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccLin. Donald, son of Thomas O'Higgtn, was living in the year 1600, 
 as appears by the poems of Fergal Mac an Bhaird. He wrote a poem, 
 consisting of one hundred and sixty-four verses, on the election of 
 Torlogh Luineach O'Neill, as chief of his tribe, A. D. 1567. This poem 
 begins " bo tog e);ie pea^ frdipe," " Erin has chosen a guardian." 
 
 Copy in O'Gara's collection in the library of John N'Namara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1602. 
 
 ccLiv. Maoilin og Mac Bruody, or Brodin, who, according to the 
 Four Masters, was " the best poet and historian that was in Ireland in 
 his time," died this year. He was the son of Conor, son of Dermod, son 
 of John M'Broden, and succeeded to the office of Chief Poet to the 
 tribes of Ibh Breacain and Ibh Fearmaic (the O'Gormans and O'Gradys) 
 upon the death of his brother Dermod in the year 1563. He was author 
 of the following poems : 
 
 1. Upon the O'Gormans, two hundred and seventy-six verses, begin- 
 ning " beo;ia6 |-orjcC yliocc Ctttc(oi;<," " Strangers here are Cathaoir's 
 race." 
 
 This poem was written upon the election of Donald O'Gorman, as 
 chief of his tribe. It traces the pedigree of the O'Gormans up to 
 Cathaoir the Great, Monarch of Ireland, A. D. 174, and shows that from 
 the same noble stock have sprung the O'Phelans, or O' Whelans, O'Dunns, 
 O'Dempsys, Clan Colgans, &c. &c. From Cathaoir the pedigree is 
 traced up to Hugony the Great ; and it is mentioned, that from Conn of 
 the hundred battles, the twentieth in descent from Hugony, are sprung 
 the clann CoUa ; the clan Colnian, kings of Meath ; the O'Neills ; the 
 O'Conors of Conaught ; the O'Rourkes ; the O'Reillys ; the O'Mealys,
 
 clxv 
 
 &c. 6cc. &c. From Ilugony the pedigree is carried up to Herenion, sou 
 of Milesius, who landed first in Ireland, A. M. 293.5. 
 
 2. A poem of four hundred and four verses, beginning " Cr,npo(} 
 crmcC!)) cC;t clan c<Xil," " I will lay an obligation on the clann of Tail," 
 
 In this poem the pedigree of the O'Briens, from Conor, brother of 
 Morogh first earl of Thomond, is traced up to Heber, the son of Milesius, 
 and various other branches of the principal stock are noticed ; amongst 
 which the author counts the Plunketts, Powers, and Eustaces. He shows 
 that forty-six of the ancestors of the O'Brien family were mouarchs of 
 Ireland since the introduction of Christianity. 
 
 3. A poem of two hundred and seventy-six verses, beginning " ^u^ 
 bam z'a^ne hfe r\a laoid," " Give attention to me, Ennis of the poems." 
 
 This poem gives the number of years that elapsed, and the names of 
 the princes of the House of O'Brien, that governed Thomond, from 
 Cairbre O'Brien to the year 1588, when Donogh, fourth Earl of Tho- 
 mond, was head of the O'Brien race, and at which period the poem was 
 written. Ft also gives the names of nine princes of this family, who were 
 kings of Cashel after the death of Brian Boroimhe, their illustrious an- 
 cestor. 
 
 Copies of the above three poems are in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 4. A poem, beginning " '^<xhfArn ctn crdi/tcfi di;< cloij) Cciil,"' " Let us 
 make this visit to the clann of Tail." Another poem on the O'Briens, 
 M'Namaras, &c. 
 
 5. A poem, beginning " ^licirj mife a. COhe^ Cocldifl," " Know me, Oh 
 Mac Coghlan," on the family of the Mac Coghlans, princes of Dealbhna 
 Eathra, a district of the ancient kingdom of Meath, now the barony of 
 Garrycastle, in the King's County. 
 
 6. A poem, beginning " O cectc/tti/i glucdj-iob gctoiSil," " From four 
 proceed the Gathelians." 
 
 These three last-mentioned poems are said, by the Four Masters, to 
 be the productions of Maoilin og, but we know not where copies are now 
 to be found. 
 
 The two following poems are ascribed to Maoilin, but the Four 
 Masters, who were his coteniporaries, and who gave an account of the
 
 clxvi 
 
 above six poems, not having mentioned these, we may conclude he was 
 not the author of them. 
 
 7. A poem of one hundred and forty-four verses, beginning " Um 
 6eiXj\^Gifi}oT] r,h ecicc(c," " Bloody hand of Ireland, the race of Eochaidh," 
 on Art, son of Aodli Magennis, whose birth, the poet says, was foretold 
 by St. Bearcan. 
 
 8. A poem of one hundred and seventy-six verses, beginning " Coijt 
 'ffl le ^edfam gctobil," " It is right to expect the establishment of the 
 Irish," on John O'Donell. 
 
 Copies in possession of John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 
 ccLV. At this time also flourished Brian, son of Owen mhaoil (bald), 
 <)'DoNALLAN. He is mentioned by Tadhg dall O'Higgin in his poem on 
 the death of Maolmordha M'Sweeny, as his cotemporary and friend. 
 He was author of the two poems following : 
 
 1. An address to RicUard og de Burk, upon his being elected Mac 
 William, two hundred and twenty-four verses, beginning " Cttine jiiot; cc 
 T?ioccH|i6 615," " Watchfulness be thine, Oh young Richard." 
 
 2. A poem addressed to Celia, the widow of Mac William, desiring her 
 to cease from lamentation after the death of her husband, one hundred 
 and eighty verses, beginning ♦' tei5 io/tc 60 tif/iyi cc Shile," " Throw by 
 your grief. Oh Celia." 
 
 Copies of these poems are in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 CCLVI. At this time flourished Owen, son of Donogh O'Daly, author 
 of a poem of one hundred and eighty verses, beginning " Oo i-fjc rt cloc 
 c-rl i'CipiS," " The protecting rock of Erin has fallen," on Dermod 
 O'Sullivan's going to Spain after the defeat of the Irish and Spaniards at 
 Kinsale. 
 
 Copies in the collection of John M'Namara, Esq. and the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 ccLvii. Teige, son of Deumod og O'Daly, also lived at this time; he 
 was author of an elegy on the death of Owen O'SuUivan. This poem 
 consists of one hundred and forty-four verses, beginning " UaigJieac a 
 i)ei;itect;t bu))baoi," " It is said that Dunboy is solitary."
 
 clxvii 
 
 ' Copies ill the collections of John M'Namara, Esq. and the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 ccLviii. Angus Mac Marcus was cotemporary with the four last- 
 mentioned writers ; he was author of a poem on Aodh, or Hugh roe 
 O'Donell's voyage to Spain after his defeat at Kinsale, forty-eight verses, 
 beginning " Qhocz a-f rdigTiedc Ci/ie," " To-night is Erin desolate." 
 
 Copy in collection of Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccLix. At the same time with the foregoing, lived John oge O'Dalv, 
 author of a poem in praise of Dermod M'Carthy, prince of Desmond, 
 seventy-six verses, beginning " 'Slnoij- 60 Cjtfocijrjggb ced^tcuiU m cjiobacc," 
 " Now is the circle of valour finished." 
 
 Copy in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1605. 
 
 ccLx. Conor roe Mac an Bhaird (Ward), a northern poet, flourished 
 at this time. He has left us a poem of two hundred verses, on the death 
 of Aodh O'Donell, beginning " Ctojjttj- cicc Ci/^e ^Ai) 'Jlob," " How 
 comes Erin without Aodh." 
 
 Copy in the MS. collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1607. 
 
 ccLxi. In this year Aodh O'Donell wrote a poem of four hundred and 
 thirty-six verses, in defence of Leath Chuinn against the attacks of 
 Teige M'Daire. He enumerates a great catalogue of heroes descended 
 from the loins of Heremon, and defies his opponent to produce a list of 
 Heberians equally respectable. The poem bggins " COertj-cC 60 C(!i5j<c(ij- ct
 
 clxvi 
 
 above six poems, not having mentioned these, we may conclude he was 
 not the author of them. 
 
 7. A poem of one hundred and forty-four verses, beginning " Um 
 dejpg efjiio)) T,b ecicrfc," " Bloody hand of Ireland, the race of Eochaidh," 
 on Art, son of Aodh Magennis, whose birth, the poet says, was foretold 
 by St. Bearcan. 
 
 8. A poem of one hundred and seventy-six versos, beginning " Coifi 
 ^irl le fedfam gctobil/' " It is right to expect the establishment of the 
 Irish," on John O'Donell. 
 
 Copies in possession of John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 
 ccLV. At this time also flourished Brian, son of Owen mhaoil (hald), 
 O'DoNALLAN. He is mentioned by Tadhg dall O'Higgin in his poem ou 
 the death of Maolmordha M'Sweeny, as his cotemporary and friend. 
 He was author of the two poems following : 
 
 1. An address to Richard og de Burk, upon his being elected Mac 
 William, two hundred and twenty-four verses, beginning " CcUjte jtioc a 
 TJiocaifib 615," " Watchfulness be thine, Oh young Richard." 
 
 2. A poem addressed to Celia, the widow of Mac William, desiring her 
 to cease from lamentation after the death of her husband, one hundred 
 and eighty verses, beginning " leig io]\z 60 tiifp ci Sbile," " Throw by 
 your grief. Oh Celia." 
 
 Copies of these poems are in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 ccLVi. At this time flourished Owen, son of Donogh O'Daly, author 
 of a poem of one hundred and eighty verses, beginning " Do t-r^z tx cloc 
 crl b'eifiin," " The protecting rock of Erin has fallen," on Dermod 
 O'Sullivan's going to Spain after the defeat of the Irish and Spaniards at 
 Kinsale. 
 
 Copies in the collection of John M'Namara, Esq. and the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 ccLvii. Teige, son of Dermod og O'Daly, also lived at this time; he 
 was author of an elegy on the death of Owen O'Sullivan. This poem 
 consists of one hundred and forty-four verses, beginning " UaigJieac a 
 Aei/ttedji ^unhao^" " It is said that Dunboy is solitary."
 
 clxvii 
 
 Copies in the collections of John M'Namara, Esq. and the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 ccLviii. Angus Mac Marcus Mas cotemporary with the four last- 
 mentioned writers ; he was author of a poem on Aodh, or Hu'^h roe 
 O'Donell's voyage to Spain after his defeat at Kinsale, forty -ei^ht verses, 
 beginning " Qinocz dy rdigtiedc Cifie," " To-night is Erin desolate." 
 
 Copy in collection of Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccLix. At the same time with the foregoing, lived John oge O'Dalv, 
 author of a poem in praise of Dermod M'Carthy, prince of Desmond, 
 seventy-six verses, beginning " Qho\f bo Cjifocrirjjgb cea/icuiU w c/tobacc," 
 " Now is the circle of valour finished." 
 
 Copy in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1605. 
 
 ccLx. Conor roe Mac an Bhaird (Ward), a northern poet, flourished 
 at this time. He has left us a poem of two hundred verses, on the death 
 of Aodh O'Donell, beginning " Cio»jt(|- cicc Cijie ^ai) 'Jlot)," " How 
 comes Erin without Aodh." 
 
 Copy in the MS. collection of^he Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 160T. 
 
 ccLxi. In this year Aodh O'Donell wrote a poem of four hundred and 
 thirty-six verses, in defence of Leath Chuinn against the attacks of 
 Teige M'Daire. He enumerates a great catalogue of heroes descended 
 from the loins of Heremon, and defies his opponent to produce a list of 
 Heberians equally respectable. The poem b^ins " Cpeccj-d 60 cctg/ictij- a.
 
 clxviii 
 
 Cbrtibg," " Worse hast thou argued, oh Teige." In the last rami but two 
 of this poem, it is said " In the year of Christ one thousand six hun- 
 dred and seven, the race of Conn were driven beyond sea, and their 
 country taken from them." It was, therefore, some time in this year 
 that the poem was written. 
 
 In some «opies of the lomarbadh, this poem, and Teige M'Daire's 
 poem, beginning" ]^li Ofteit ojicin) 60 bfe^t a '2lo!>," are blended together, by 
 way of dialogue, so as to make the two poems appear but as one piece 
 written by the same author. 
 
 ccLxii. At this time tlourished Art og O'Keeffe, who took a part in 
 the contention of the bards, on the side of Leath Mhogha. He was 
 author of the poem beginning " ?l pji tdg/^aif an cainc tittoc," " Oh 
 man, that urgest silly talk," sixty-eight verses, against M'Dermott and 
 Aodh O'Donell, who had written on the side of Leath Chuinn. 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccLxin. At this time also lived Torlogh O'Brien, of Cahirmannan, 
 who wrote an answer to Aodh O'Donell, on his poem above mentioned. 
 O'Brien's poem consists of thirty-two verses, beginning " ?l QI06 615 na 
 rjeac Irdit," " Oh young Hugh, of swift steeds." 
 
 Copy in collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1608. 
 
 ccLxiv. At this time flourished Giolla Brighid, alias Bonaventure, 
 O'Heoghusa, a Franciscan friar of the College of Saint Anthony of 
 Padua, in Louvain^ He was author of the following pieces : 
 
 1. A Catechism, in prose, first printed at Louvain, A. D. 1608, and 
 reprinted at Antwerp, in A, D. 1611. 
 
 2. A Catechism, or Abridgment of Christian Doctrine, in two hun- 
 dred and forty verses, beginning " '2lc^i6 c/ti boi/ife a\ji. cede n&e,"
 
 clxix 
 
 " There are three doors to the House of God." This abridgment wa& 
 reprinted at the end of Donlevy's Irish Catechism, in Paris, A. D. 1642. 
 
 3. A poem of thirty-two verses, prefixed to the Catechism, and ad- 
 dress to the reader. It begins " Qi pi;t ledjitf <xn lecib/iair) big," " Oh 
 man, read of the little book." 
 
 4. A poem of three hundred and fifty-six verses,^ beginning, " C^ucdj 
 lion) <t compel!) 60 co/i," " Sorrowful to me thy condition, oh my com- 
 panion," addressed to a friend upon deserting the religion of his ances- 
 tors. 
 
 6. A poem on the vanity of the world, sixty-eight verses, beginning 
 " C/irctj cofi clovfie 'Slbaim," " Miserable the state of the sons of Adam." 
 This is a translation from a Latin work of Saint Bernard's. 
 
 6. A poem of eighty-four verses, beginning " gctB ttiit^ectccXj- rdiiD," 
 " Accept my repentance." In this poem the author confesses his of- 
 fences against his God, declares his penitence, and begs forgiveness. 
 Written upon occasion of his renouncing the world, and entering on a 
 life of poverty and mortification, in the order of Saint Francis. 
 
 7. A consolatory poem, addressed to Jane, wife of Richard Nuo-ent, 
 on the death of her husband, sixty-four verses, beginning " bectcai/i ■fuan 
 <ti;i cnecto ccct|t<i6," *' It is hard to rest over the wounds of friends." 
 
 8. Reflections on the author's leaving Ireland, and on the death of 
 his dear friend Aodh, or Hugh Maguire, sixty-eight verses, beginning 
 " Cflrdj dT) rctmdficf tt <t Cifte," " Sorrowful is this vision, oh Erin." 
 
 9. A vision, in which he praises Roalb M'Mahon, one hundred and 
 eighty-four verses, beginning " langnrtd in'ci^ltting a Tjeamctin," " Won- 
 derful my vision in Eniania." 
 
 10. In praise of Felim, son of Feagh M'Hugh O'Byrne, and the pro- 
 vince of Leinster, one hundred and eighty-four verses, beginning 
 " CedUctc einij idc Ictigedo," " A land of generosity is the province 
 of Leinster." 
 
 Copies of all these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secre- 
 tary ; some copies are in the library of John Mac Namara, Esq. and 
 some others in the libraries of other members of this Society.
 
 clxx 
 
 A. D. 1609. 
 
 ccLxv. Doctor Nehemiaii Donellan, Archbishop of Tuam, died this 
 year. He is said to have translated into Irish the New Testament and 
 Communion Book, and to have printed tliem in A. D. 1603. Of this 
 some doubts may be entertained ; but the work was printed in his time, 
 and the expense Jevied on the people of Conaght. 
 
 See William Daniel, or O'Donell, under the year 1628. 
 
 A. D. 1610. 
 
 ccLxvi. At this time flourished Teige dall O'Higgin, son of Cairbre, 
 and brother to Maolmuire, Archbishop of Tuam. He was a poet of the 
 county of Sligo, famous for the elegance of his encomiums, and the keen- 
 ness of his satire ; and it is remarkable, that the first and the last of his 
 productions are the most biting of his invectives. To the last of his poems 
 is attributed the cause of his death. It is a satire on six persons of the tribe 
 of O'Hara, who forcibly took some refreshments in his house, and so se- 
 verely were the lashes of the poet felt by the delinquents, that they some 
 time afterwards returned to his house, seized him, cut out his tongue, and 
 otherwise abused him ; of which barbarous treatment it is said he died. 
 
 On the 30th of June, 1617, an inquisition was held in Sligo, before 
 Thomas Browne and another, by which it was found that " William, son 
 of Corcashell O'Hara, and Owen O'Hara of Castlecarragh, Brian O'Hara, 
 Art O'Hara, and Donald O'Hara, were attainted of the murdering Teige 
 dall O'Higgin, his wife and child." The time in which this murder was 
 perpetrated is not mentioned in the inquisition ; but it was found that 
 the murderers were possessed of some lands, which were consequently 
 forfeited to the king. 
 
 To this writer we are indebted for the following poems : 
 
 1. An epigram on some pretender to learning, amongst his cotempo- 
 raries, whose name is, perhaps, justly forgotten. It begins " tedjx t>^j)ct
 
 clxxi 
 
 rt)? pertjt fo firtji," " A man of song, this western man," or, as the two 
 tirst words may be translated, " a man of impudence," which would, per- 
 haps, be an appropriate epithet for a pretender to science. 
 
 This epigram has been published in Irish and English, in the Transac- 
 tions of the Gaelic Society, and applied to Doctor Ledwich, by the late 
 Theophilus O'Flauagan, an accomplished scholar of Trinity College, 
 and a complete master of the ancient language and history of his country, 
 who, to the disgrace of his compatriots, lived neglected, and died in 
 poverty. 
 
 2. A genealogical poem on the O' Haras, princes of Luigne and Gai- 
 leng, two districts of the ancient kingdom of Conaght, now called the 
 baronies of Leney and Gallen, the first comprehended in the county of 
 Sligo, and the latter in the county of Mayo. In this poem, which con- 
 sists of three hundred and twenty verses, beginning " "^In 5il lib ^{ecinctty 
 f\l Ccein," " Is the history of the race of Cian pleasing to you ?" the 
 author traces the pedigree of Cormac O'Hara, chief of his tribe in the 
 reign of Queen Elizabeth, up to Cian, son of Olioll Olum, king of 
 Munster, who died A. D. 234, according to O'Flahcrty. 
 
 A copy of this poem, in the hand-writing of John M'Solly, is in the 
 collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 3. A poem of one hundred and eighty verses, on Drum Laigheann, an 
 old name of the hill of Cruachan, or Drum Druid, near Elphin, county 
 Roscommon. The name of this hill is sometimes improperly translated 
 Mount Leinster. 
 
 This poem begin.s " CDaigecti) biogltt bftuim Ictijectnt)," " A field of de- 
 struction is the ridge of Laighean," and gives an account of various bat- 
 tles fought there, and of the conjurations of the Tuatlia-de-Dadans, in 
 their conflicts with the Milesians. 
 
 4. A poem on Torlogh Luineach O'Neill, two hundred verses, begin- 
 ning " looiicl foccii/t cti5 ^^ol J*>1eill," " Many are the privileges of 
 Niall's race." In this poem the author compares Torlogh to Noah, and 
 says, that as God had appointed Noah to preserve the race of man from 
 destruction in the general deluge, so he sent Turlogh, as a second Noah, 
 to preserve the Irish after the massacres and cruelties committed on them 
 by tlie English. 
 
 a a
 
 clxxii 
 
 .5. An address to Hu^h, son of Manns O'Donell, on his going to Co- 
 naght, two hundred and twenty-four verses, beginning " bid 6o betted <t 
 rneic 0^b<l5^\li|-,'' " Hail ! son of Manus,'' 
 
 6. In praise of the Castle of Liftord, and of the son of O'Donell, and 
 his wife, the daughter of John O'Neill, forty-four verses, beginning 
 " 1o)ifnui« bctile hjiu^h leitBi;i," " Beloved seat, fair Lifford's Castle." 
 
 Copies of these two poems are in the library of Rev. Doctor O'Brien, 
 and in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 7. A poem of one humlred and sixty-four verses, beginning " CC^s 
 featrf i Inif ceitUnd," " Alas! I looked on Enniskillen," " on the castle 
 of Enniskillen, and the hospitality of Cuchonacht Maguire." 
 
 Copy in collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 8. A poem of one hundred and ninety-six verses, beginning " ?t COoift 
 CTikW'S <!« coman," " Oh Mor, remember the obligation!" addressed 
 to a woman, who, it appeared, had deserted him for a person of the 
 name of O'Connor. 
 
 9. A poem of one hundred and fifty-two verses, beginning " beduam 
 cmzuf, a. Cbcttdil," " Let us render an account, oh Cathal," addressed 
 to Cathal O'C'onor Sligo, son of Teige. In this poem the author boasts 
 that he was the bed-fellow of his hero, and received from him an ample 
 share of the spoils which he had carried away from the Mac Williams, 
 (Burkes) M'Costelloes, (Nangles) Conallians, (O'Donells, O'Doghertys, 
 M'Sweenys, &c.) and from the O'Neills. 
 
 A fine copy of this poem is in the library of John Mac Namara of San- 
 dymount, Esq. and another in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 10. A poem in dispraise of bad butter, twenty-four verses, beginning 
 " tuct/icif pel)) m mciit 6 mntfoi," " I got good butter from a woman." 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 11. An epigram on the clan Mac an Bhaird, or tribe of Ward. 
 Copy with the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 12. A poem, consisting of one hundred and thirty-two verses, beginning 
 " bctoine |-t(0(id f'^ol Ccolla," "The race of Colla are a free people," 
 in praise of Cuchonacht (Constantine) Maguire, chief of Fermanagh, 
 and eldest lineal descendant of Colla da Chrioch, son of Eochaidh 
 Doimhlen, and grandson of Cairbre Litfeachar, monarch of Ireland, who
 
 clxxiii 
 
 lost his life in the battle of Gabhra, near Tara, A. D. 294. CoIIa-da- 
 chrioch, together with his two brothers, Colla Uais and Colla Meann 
 conquered settlements for themselves in Ulster, from the Rudricians, and 
 destroyed Emania in the year of our Lord 347 ; since which period the 
 descendants of the Collas have enjoyed large estates and great power 
 in the province of Ulster, until the entire province was declared the 
 property of King James the First, in the early part of his reign. 
 
 13. A poein exciting the itative Irish to take up arms, and expel their 
 English enemies, two hundred and eighty verses, beginning " b'ciott- 
 005016 coit)ctilcect;\ y-foccdin," " To a man of war, peace is preserved." 
 
 In this poem the author points out Brian, son of Brian, son of Owen 
 O'Rourke, as the proper leader of the Irish against their oppressors, as 
 his power was then acknowledged by the Ulster and Conaght tribes. 
 
 14. A poem in praise of the Mac Sweenys, two hundred verses, begin- 
 ning " 1ci6 fe\i) c^ri(X]^f aifx clo\n |^IeiU," " The race of Niall exceed them- 
 selves." 
 
 15. A poem beginning " Uaitjig oidce 50 hCdy cctoile," " Night came 
 to Narrow-water," one hundred and sixty-eight verses, ou the death of 
 Maolmordha Mac Sweeny, and two others of the author's friends and 
 cotemporaries. 
 
 Ill this poem the author mentions Brian O'Conallan, Brian M'Coin- 
 mhidhe, and Conor O'Higgin, poets, and cotemporaries with tlie author, 
 who were patronized by Maolmordha Mac Sweeny. 
 
 16. A |)oem beginning " jTea^ioib cloibme c^iot 6anfcc(," " The country 
 of Ireland is sword land," twa hundred and forty verses, in praise of 
 the family of Burke, many of whom he names as conquerors in various 
 battles in Ireland, England, and the Holy Land. 
 
 17. A poem of one hundred and fifty-two verses, beginning '< /*«Io6lt(ic 
 60 crd&mdri 6o'r) Cbftaob," " Christmas we went to the Creeve," on a 
 Christmas assembly of the poets at the Creeve, one of the hospitable 
 mansions of Torlogh Luineach O'Neill. 
 
 18. A poem in praise of Richard, son of Oliver Burke M'William, 
 two hundred and forty verses, beginning " COoft longaBail aomrt pioc," 
 " Great prudence of the soul of a prince." 
 
 19. A poem of forty-eight verses, beginning " Sluaj fe]f}ji crtinig 60m 
 iig," " A band of six came to my house." 

 
 clxxiv 
 
 Tliispoem is a bitter satire on six persons of the tribe of O'Hara, who 
 went to the author's house aiul took some refreshments against his in- 
 clination. The virulence of this satire was so keenly felt by the O'Haras, 
 that tliey cut out his tongue, which probably caused his death, as we 
 have seen before that five of the family were found attainted of the 
 murder of Teige O'Higgin, his wife and child. 
 
 Copies of the thirteen last-mentioned poems are preserved in the va- 
 luable book of O'Gara, in the library of John M'Namara, of Sandymount, 
 Esq, 
 
 ccLXvii. At this time also lived Maolmuire, son of Cairbre O'Higgin, 
 brother to the last-mentioned author. He was Archbishop of Tuam ; and 
 we are told by the Reverend Fergal O'Gara, in his collection of poems 
 made in the Netherlands in the year 1656, and now in the library of John 
 M'Namara, Esq. that this prelate died in Antwerp, on his return from 
 Rome, but he does not mention in what year. To this author we are 
 indebted for the following pieces : 
 
 1. A hymn in praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, consisting of one hundred 
 and sixty-four verses, beginning " bo gjiiij don fnrtc wMb cloiTje," " One 
 son supplied the place of many children." 
 
 2. A poem in praise of Ireland, written when the author was on the 
 Continent, one hundred and thirty-six verses, beginning " Qt pjt tei6 ro 
 p'loS prTjiti," " Oh man, who goest to the land of the West." 
 
 3. A poem of thirty-six verses, beginning " Ql cecict:cii;<e teitj dnon," 
 « O messenger, who goest to the other side." This poem contains a 
 beautiful description of a woman. 
 
 4. A poem of twelve verses, on Consideration, beginning " Ql pifttrteafe- 
 dj- in rrldc," " Oh man, who cultivatest the hill." 
 
 Copies of all these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 ccLxviii. Cotemporary with the two last-mentioned writers, was Conn, 
 son of John O'Neill, author of a chronological poem on his own tribe, 
 from the death of Heremon to the departure of Hugh O'Neill from 
 Conaght, in the year 1610. This poem commences with " Ca Ifon jxit U' 
 fedmnci cedJi," " How many kings and mighty chiefs." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 clxxv 
 
 A. D. 1612. 
 
 ccLXTx. Flann M*Coinmhidhe lived at this time. He was authoi* 
 of a poem in praise ot' the Blessed Virgin, fifty-two verses, beginning 
 " hfxea^zaji bectn le yec(6 -friji^e,"" " A woman is allured by gifts of kind- 
 ness." 
 
 Copy in possession of Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccLxx. At the same period as the foregoing, lived Maurice, son of 
 David duff Fitzgerald. He was author of the following poems : 
 
 J. Forty-four verses, on receiving a present of a horse from Teige 
 O'Brien, of Dumhach, beginning " pra/tcty^ eac nac brdibfedc boijlb," 
 " I received a horse, not wicked nor peevish." 
 
 2. Forty-four verses on his ship preparing for a voyage to Spain. This 
 poem begins " Oeariciig dn longfct tt Cbjiio^d caib," " Bless this ship, Oh 
 holy Christ." 
 
 3. Forty-four verses on his receiving a present of a sword from O'Logh- 
 lin of Burren, beginning " bo b/ionjab ixtfn c'ajxtx CTjlg" " A sword was 
 given by my friend." 
 
 4. Twelve verses on a French cat, beginning " COd/tcaf) ^cdf^j^, 5i<U(trn(t, 
 gect/tcCndc," " Sour, sullen, complaining animal." 
 
 5. Forty-eight verses, enumerating things that were pleasing and dis- 
 pleasing to him, beginning " '^lic bom {zeab f^iamiic ■f^aiarxic,'" " I like 
 a beautiful stately horse." 
 
 6. Advice to a young woman, beginning '« gtt^ mo rettgct-fg <t bedn <^i5," 
 " Receive my instructions, oh young woman." 
 
 7. Advice to a young man, ninety-two verses, beginning " Cttijie 6uic <t 
 654110 piii," " Be cautious, oh fair-haired youth." 
 
 Copies of all the above poems are in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary. The poem. No. 2, has been translated and published by 
 Miss Brooke, in her " Reliques of Irish Poetry."
 
 clxxvi 
 
 A. D. 1617. 
 
 ccLxxi. On the 16th of December in this year, died Angus, or ^EiNeas 
 roe O'Daly, as appears by an inquisition taken at the Old Castle in 
 Cork, on the 18th September, 1624. By this inquisition it was found 
 that " Angus O'Daly was seized, in his life time, of the towns and lands 
 of Ballyorroone, co4itaining three carrucates of land, value ten shillings 
 per annum; and being so seized, did, on the last day of March, 1611, 
 enfeoff Thadeus M'Carthy, Richard Waters, John O'Daly, and Farfasa 
 O'Canty (Fearfeasa O'Cainte), and their heirs for ever, to the use of said 
 Angus O'Daly, during his natural life, and after his death to the use 
 and benefit of Angus O'Daly, junior, his son and heir, and the heirs 
 male of his body lawfully begotten ; and that the said feoffees, Thadeus, 
 Richard, John and Farfasa, the foresaid premises, without the king's 
 license being first obtained, together with Angus O'Daly, senior, did, by 
 their deed, dated 10 April, 1617, enfeoff Carolus O'Daly, his heirs and 
 assigns, in the western part of the land of Balliorroone aforesaid, with 
 the appurtenances, containing one carrucate of land, under this condition 
 that, when the said Angus O'Daly, senior, his heirs or assigns, should 
 pay said Carolus O'Daly, his heirs or assigns, the sum of thirteen pounds, 
 then the said Angus O'Daly, senior, his heirs or assigns, should be at 
 liberty to re-enter and possess said land and premises, as before the 
 making of said deed. And that afterwards the said Angus O'Daly died 
 on the 16th December, 1617," &c. 
 
 This poet is best known to the Irish scholar by the names of Angus 
 na naor (Angus of the Satires), and Bard ruadh, or red Bard. He was 
 author of the following pieces : 
 
 1. A long poem, in which he gives a satiric description of the chiefs of 
 the principal native Irish families, and such of the descendants of the 
 Anglo-Normans as had formed close connexions with the Irish. From 
 this general abuse of the Irish tribes he exempts the Clann Daly, or 
 O'Donells, because, as he says, he was afraid of their vengeance : 
 
 " ba ndonuCn cltin nb^lccis, 
 
 J^lioji 6i6)) 6cim i^iol ^eanSbdim ; 
 Cl<in obcilcii5 br6 b\on btxkf 
 QlgUj" j-iol 9l«»«H'») 6'2lo;tCl&."
 
 clxxvii 
 
 " If I lampoon the Claim Daly, no shield to me is the race of old 
 Adam : Let the Clann Daly protect me, I may satirize all mankind." 
 
 This poem was written in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and it is said 
 that Angus was specially employed for this purpose by the agents of the 
 Earl of Essex and Sir George Carew. 
 
 Copies are in the hands of every Irish scholar. 
 
 2. A poem on the death of Donogh fionn M'Carthy, one hundred and 
 sixty-eight verses, beginning " Cdinic liji 60 le^Lt COho^n," "Misfortune 
 has come over Leath Mhogha." 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccLxxir. Ferfkasa O'Cainte flourished at this time, as we have seen by 
 the Inquisition quoted in the preceding article. He was a Munster poet, 
 and took a part in the contention of the bards, on the side of Teige 
 Mac Daire and the Momonians, against Lughaidh O'Clery and the 
 Northerns. He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. One hundred and twenty verses against Lughaidh, beginning " J^ltt 
 C0151I l<lB|i(t, 1I Lu5<xi6," " Spare not speech, oh Lughaidh." 
 
 In this poem the author accuses Lughaidh of partiality, in his defence 
 of the chiefs of Leath Chuinn, to the prejudice of those of Leath Mhogha. 
 He insists that the descendants of Eogan mor and Cormac Cas are supe- 
 rior to the progeny of Conn of the Hundred Battles. He tells Lughaidh 
 it is sinful to oppose this known truth, desires him to read over his books, 
 and acknowledge his errors. 
 
 2. On worthless people, striving to make themselves respected by 
 boasting and lies, forty-two verses, beginning " 03oft 60 51)16 ftdoiJie 6i6J» 
 pem," " Men make themselves great." 
 
 Copies of these two poems are in the collection of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary. 
 
 3. On the death of Donald O'Keeffe, chief of the district of Ealla, 
 and on that of his poet, Angus O'Daly, commonly called the Red Bard, 
 or Angus the satirist, one hundred and eighty verses, beginning " Oedii 
 6tf cufna c^ic eallc(," " A Avoman of two sorrows is Ealla's land." 
 
 4. A poem addressed to Ireland, to whom he promises a steady friend 
 in young Teig-e Mac Carthy, presumptive chief of Desmond, or south 
 Munster. This poem consists of one hundred and eighty-four verses, in
 
 clxxviii 
 
 which he gives some good instructions to young Mac Carthy for his ge- 
 neral conduct. It begins " puijlid 50 poill, <x Ci/te," " Wait awhile, oh 
 Erin." 
 
 Copies of the two last-mentioned poems are in the library of John 
 Mac Namara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1618. 
 
 ccLxxui. At this time flourished Teige, son of Dermod O'Dalv, authw 
 of an elegy on the death of Dermod O'Sullivan, who died this year, at 
 the early age of twenty-five years, one hundred and forty-eight verses, 
 beginning " Cm fo caoioedf C;iioc Odnbd," " Who is this that Ireland 
 laments ?" 
 
 Copy with the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 Perhaps this writer may be the same mentioned under the year 1602, 
 by the name of Teige, son of Dermod og O'Daly. 
 
 A. D. 1620. 
 
 ccLxxiV. In this year lived Owen M'Craitu, a Munster poet, author 
 of sixty-eight verses, on the death of Donogh O'Brien, Earl of Thomond, 
 who died this year, as appears by the twelfth rann of this poem. It begins 
 " Cugttb dr) c^ft fo dift Ci/ti))," " This destruction came on Ireland." 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccLxxv. At this time also flourished Cucoigcriche, grandson of Conn 
 O'Clery. He was poet to the O'Donells, chieftains of Tir-Conell, and 
 author of the following poems : 
 
 I. On Rory O'Donell being created first Earl of Tirconnel, nineteen ranns, 
 each consisting of eight verses, beginning " Tiv^ coBciijt di/t CorjdUcaiB,
 
 clxxix 
 
 erg omdn <t)f ectjfccdifiiio," '' Power has come to the Conallians, terror 
 has seized on their enemies." 
 
 2. On the long and peaceful life of Torlogh, sou of Cathbharr 
 O'Donell, who, at the time this poem was written, had attained his 
 seventieth year, one hundred and sixty-eight verses, beginning " COo 
 indUacc Oftc, d j-ccojail !" " My curse on thee, oh world !" 
 
 Copies of these poems are in possession of the Assistant Secretary, in 
 an ancient paper manuscript, lent to. him by his late dearly beloved and 
 much lamented friend the Rev. Dr. Paul O'Brien, Professor of the Irish 
 language in the College of St. Patrick, Maynooth. 
 
 ccLxxiv. At this time also lived Donogh Caoch (blind) O'Mahont, a 
 Munster poet, who wrote many songs, some of which are in the collection 
 of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1626. 
 
 CCLXXV. On the 26th of September in this year, died Hugh Mac 
 Cawell, a Franciscan friar, who had been Divinity Lecturer in the Col- 
 lege of Saint Anthony of Padua, in Louvain, and afterwards R. C. 
 Archbishop of Armagh. He was known in his order by the name of Aodh 
 Mac Aingil, and under that name published his " Scdccin j-acjWmeiwce na 
 Wticfiibe," or " Mirror of the Sacrament of Penance,'' printed at Louvain, 
 in 1618, although Harris, in his additions to Ware, erroneously says it 
 was printed after his death. 
 
 A. D. 1628. 
 
 ccLxxvi. On the 11th of July this year, died Doctor William 
 O'Donell, one of the first fellows of Trinity College, and treasurer of 
 
 b b
 
 clxXK 
 
 ■the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Dublin, in which church he was conse- 
 crated Archbishop of Tuam, in the year 1609. He is said to have been 
 ihe tranjylator of the Book of Common Prayer and the New Testament 
 into the Irish language; but Mr. Beling, and others, say the latter was 
 translated by Morfogh O'Cionga, or King. This was printed in the year 
 1603, in quarto, the charges of which were levied on the people of Co- 
 naght. [t was re-printed in 1687, at the expense of Robert Boyle, and in 
 the year 1G90 the entire Bible was printed in London, in quarto size, and 
 in the Irish character; and at the same time, a id by the same press, it 
 was printed in eighteens, in the Roman ktter, for the use of the Gaoidhil, 
 or Gaels of Scotland. This was tiie only Gaelic translation the people 
 of that nation had of the Sacred Scriptures, until about the year 1767, 
 when a new translation of the New Testament was published in Edin- 
 burgh. In tlie year 1787 a new translation of the Old Testament was 
 published, in the same city. In these new translations the ancient and 
 correct orthography of the Gaelic or Irish language was much debased. 
 But in tlie last new translation printed for the Bible Society in London, 
 in 1804, much greater changes have been made, which go far towards 
 disguising the radices of the language, and to cut off the connection that 
 until lately existed between the sister dialects of Eire and Alba. 
 
 In the year 1818 a new edition of the New Testament was published 
 
 in London, by the British and Foreign Bible Society, on beautiful Irish 
 
 types ; but either through the ignorance or the negligence of the editor, 
 
 or perhaps through both, the errors of this edition are innumerable. In 
 
 the first three chapters of the Gosi)el of Saint Mathew, there are no less 
 
 than sixty typographical errors, some of which materially affect the sense 
 
 of the Evangelist. Of this a remarkable instance occurs in the 3d chapter 
 
 and 12th verse of this Gospel, where our Blessed Saviour is represented as 
 
 a female; thus, " Ql-^tx Bprjl a. Cfnaidn drj til^im," " Whose fan is in uer 
 
 hand." Other errors, equally bad, or woi-se, frequently occur throughout 
 
 the book ; such as pecC/i, grass, instead of pett|i, a man, &c. &c. which 
 
 render this work totally unfit for the purpose intended by the publishers. 
 
 In London also, in the course of the last year, were published, in Irish, 
 
 ihe books of Genesis and Exodus. The Irish Bibles printed in London 
 
 in 1690, abound with errors, grammatical and typographical, all which,
 
 clxxxi 
 
 so far as these two books go, are suffered to remain in the text by the. 
 present editor; and he has added to the stock no small quantity of his, 
 own, and introduced words that never before appeared in any Irish book. 
 
 In Irish the preposition d, in, causes eclipsis, or suppression in the ini-. 
 tials of all substantives immediately following it, except such as begin, 
 with the letter m or the immutable consonants I, n, or ;<. To nouns begin- , 
 ning with vowels it causes n to be prefixed; thus, <( octigeio, in the deep ; 
 <i oeaaotcaiy, in despair; d nipr^ion, in hell; u ooibce, in the night; it. 
 nucugnecty, in solitude, &c. The present editor of the Sacred Scriptures 
 knowing that n is always joined with such substantives in pronunciation, 
 when preceded by the preposition, and seeing that it is so written in books, 
 but not knowing the cause of such union, imagined that when the article 
 •a.r\ preceded a substantive beginning with a vowel, the n should be de- 
 detached from the cc and united with the substantive ; and under this . 
 impression, whenever the article tJn, or the preposition and article bo-n, or 
 60 un, occurs, in such a situation he invariably deprives the article of its 
 n, and prefixes it to the substantive, and thereby renders such passages 
 downright nonsense. 
 
 Of the kind of error hiere noticed, the first chapter of Genesis fur- 
 nishes sufficient examples. Thus, in the sixth and seventh verses, '^\^u-^ 
 
 ^buhiX\f.z, b)ct, biob iormo'ilt a meaboo net nui^5etitj, &c. ^'5"f 60 p'ne C)ict 
 
 <t niopmoilc, ccgu^ fioirj na huifsedoiX pdoi a. niojMroilt: 6 nd buifgedbdib 6{ 
 ciojj nd hio|tmoilce, ttguf &o bi mdjt >(\n. '^Igu^ goin bid 60 nio^mioilc neam." 
 This, literally translated into English,.would be absolute nonsense; it would 
 run thus : " And God said, let there be a firmament (lormolUj in the midst 
 of the waters, &c. — And God made m a firmament (ct moj\no]\z) and he 
 divided the waters under in a firmament (p<*oi ct mofinioilc) from the waters 
 above the firmament, and it was so. And God called to, &c. heaven." The 
 words 60 niopmoilc here cannot be translated into any intelligible lan- 
 guage ; they should be written 60')) lofimoilr, if io;iidoiIc had any meaning. 
 Verse 9. " Cpuiijigcecift nd hu)-f^e<x6a cCcd pdoi neam d neuntlic dguy^ leigcectn 
 a. n-qn ti/iim leij-." The rt in nerndrc is here properly prefixed, because the 
 preposition <t requires it; a. nernSic, in one place; but it is improperly 
 prehxed to -yf^i, land, for that should be preceded by an article, and not 
 a preposition; <l i]rj\, signifies in the land: it should be <t)) t^h, the land..
 
 clxxxii 
 
 Again, verse 14, " '^'guf ^ i>r13£c &icc, biod l6cf<tiir) <t flio^imoilc neirne 60 
 Ttoirj e)6i|t iyt\ Via xtguf <l tioibce," &c. Here the n prefixed to lo^^moil- is 
 right, because the preposition tt goes before it; but it should not be 
 joined to oi6ce, as it is, because the sense requires the article. '21 )i<Ji6ce 
 means in a night, but it should be written ttji oi6ce, the night. " I6i;i 
 ts.D 1$ ^E^X c"i oibce," literally means " between the day and the night." 
 The word l6c;iciiri, in this verse, is a proof of the absence of grammatical 
 knowledge in the editor, locfiflin is an oblique case of loc/tan, light ; 
 and it should be here in the nominative case. Moreover, even if the 
 oblique case should be used, the orthography is wrong; it should 
 be loc/iciiJi. The word iormoilt, used here for firmament, is one of those 
 words adopted by this editor that never appeared before in any Irish 
 book, ancient or modern, printed or manuscript, except in the late 
 edition of the Scottish Gaelic Bible ; and even there, not admitted into 
 the iexi. 
 
 ■ The great importance of correctness in an edition of the Sacred Scrip- 
 lures, and the fearful consequences that may result from a depraved 
 translation of them, will, it is hoped, be a sufficient apology for this 
 digression from the original plan of this work. 
 
 A. D. 1629. 
 
 ccLxxvii. Died at Madrid on the 18th of November, this year, father 
 Florence Conry, or O'Mulconaire, an Observantin Franciscan, in the 
 sixty-ninth year of his age. Through his solicitation Philip III. king of 
 Spain, founded the college of Saint Anthony of Padua, in Louvain, for 
 the Irish Franciscan Friars, and to this seminary, in the year 1654, his 
 bones were translated from Spain by his countrymen. His " Section dij 
 Cb|i<ibui6," or *^ Mirror of Religion," a Catechism; was printed in Lou- 
 vain, in 1626.
 
 clxxxiii 
 
 A. D. 1630. 
 
 cLxxviii. EocHAiDii O'Heogiiusa, Maguii'e's chief poet, flourished at this 
 period, as appears by his poem on O'Donell, second Earl of Tirconnel. 
 By the thirty-sixth rami of the first poem in the following list, it appears 
 he began his poetic career so early as the year 1593, when he was but a 
 youth. The ensuing catalogue contains all the legible poems that we 
 have met with of this author's works, many of which have much merit, 
 and none of them are contemptible. 
 
 1. Two hundred and twenty-eight verses, on the appointment of Aodh 
 roe (or red Hugh) O'Donell, as chieftain of Tirconnell, after his escape 
 from captivity in the Castle of Dublin, in the last week of December, 
 1592. This poem begins " biol prdict FlctKio|- Ciiiearj/' " A reward 
 exciting hatred is the sovereignty of Erin." 
 
 Copy of this poem in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 2. One hundred and twenty verses, in praise of Cuclionacht Maguire, 
 Lord of Fermanagh, beginning " jTabcc leig^ectft C<imr,r) <(n ttori-ufna." 
 
 3. A didactic poem, consisting of one hundred and seventy-two verses, 
 for the instruction of Cuchonacht, or Constantine, Maguire^ Lord of 
 Fermanagh. This poem begins " becccc(i;i lori/idim net ?)oi5e," " Difficult 
 the service of youth." 
 
 4. One hundred and twenty verses, on the sickness of Teige O'Brien, 
 beginning " bedls dialdiS oijtcty CbclitJ5," " A re-hurting sting is the 
 sickness of Teige." 
 
 5. Eighty verses, lamenting the absence of Hugh Maguire, beginning 
 " Xludp. ledm ttn o'.bce^i b'^lob," " Cold I feel this night for Hugh." 
 
 6. Ninety-two verses on the sickness of his Chief, Cuchonacht Ma- 
 o-uire, beginning " ptba 6 m'lnciii ct bdincSftc/' " Far from my mind its 
 
 vision." 
 
 7. An address to Hugh Maguire, one hundred and forty-eight verses, 
 boo-inning " Sitn fdb loc <i iCffn ?lobct," " Health to thy wound, oh 
 hand of Hugh." 
 
 8. Seventy-six verses addressed to Hugh Maguire, beginning " Cui/^pertd 
 fo lorji'.i ?lo6," " I will implant this in thee, O'Hugh."
 
 clxxxlv 
 
 9. Two hundred verses, addressed to Teige, son of Brian and Mary 
 O'Rourke, Lord of W. Breifne, beginning " Catuio jieb meanmct tt fnic 
 hh^Miir),'" " Contend with thy natural disposition, oh son of Brian." 
 
 10. An historical poem, addressed to Hugh Maguire, three hundred 
 and forty-four verses, beginning " p<l6(t ;ie bupc6it> Ci/^e," " Long is 
 Ireland acquainted with injury." 
 
 11. A very beautiful historical poem, in which the author eulogises 
 Owen og M'Sweeny, the son of Margaret, daughter of Aodh O'Donell, 
 chief of Tirconell. This poem consists of two hundred and thirty-six 
 verses, beginning " Tio\y) leice <ti)i rtobrrtin Ci/ieaV' " The uneasiness of 
 Ireland is divided." 
 
 12. One hundred and fifty-two verses, lamenting the distressed state 
 of Ireland, and calling on Hugh O'Neill to remember the glorious acts 
 of his forefathers, and to redeem their ancient patrimony from bondage. 
 This poem begins " P;<iot <tn 'rrcdo-fe dijl loif fciil," " Devote this oppor- 
 tunity for the Isle of Fail." 
 
 13. One hundred and sixty-four verses on Brian, son of Hugh M'Mahon, 
 chief of Uriell (OiftgidUa) beginning " Oecl5 m\j\ea,-( bo fndc^tlib gcioibil," 
 " Few remain of the sons of Gathelus." 
 
 14. Ninety-six verses, on the hospitality and pleasures of the mansion 
 and amiable family of Felim, son of Feagh M'Hugh O'Byrne, of Ra- 
 nelagh, beginning " lonmuirj zeac p.e tzu^a-f cul," " Beloved is the house 
 that I have left." 
 
 15. One hundred and sixty-eight verses, addressed to Hugh Maguire, 
 beginning " COoji <Co za^m oUttm pidcct," " Professor (chief Doctor} of 
 a prince, is a noble title." 
 
 16. Two hundred and sixteen verses, on the Maguires, and in praise 
 of the wife of Con Maguire, beginning " Suijigedc f^n rt Cijte 65," 
 " Lovely that, oh noble Erin." 
 
 17. Eighty verses, against satirical writing, beginning " CDdi;i5 ict;<^c(y 
 lomldoid cdince," " Woe to him who seeks satyric poems," 
 
 Copies of all the above poems, except the first, are in O'Gara's collec- 
 tion in the library of John Mac Namara, Esq, The first, and most of the 
 re«t; are also amongst the MSS. belonging to the Assistant Secretary.
 
 clxxxv 
 
 18. Two hundred and sixteen verses on the O'Donells, beginning 
 " ^Ii tomt^om c6^ci6 OaoBci," " Not equal is the war of Banbha, (Ire- 
 land)." 
 
 19. Forty-four verses, on O'Donell, Earl of Tirconnell, beginning 
 " lonfnolca mctlaijic Bif 15," " Commendable the exchange of profit." 
 
 Copies of these two poems are in the manuscripts of the late Reverend 
 Doctor O'Brien, and of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 20. Seventy-two verses, recommending a life of temperance, beginning 
 " Ql 6uine na hea-fldrnze," " Oh man of disease." 
 
 21. Twenty-four verses, advice to a female friend, beginning " "Jt bean 
 t]\o\6e compS)icci," " Oh woman of the social heart." 
 
 22. Twenty verses, addressed to a friend, beginning " ?t pi^t c/toib'e 
 cd/iutiDj-i," " Oh man of the heart I love." 
 
 23. Eighty-eight verses, addressed to Almighty God, beginning " Qlfi 
 Cj:c(oj-c(fn 6ctm d Obe dtdifi," " By thy protection to me, oh God the Father!" 
 
 24. One hundred and twenty-four verses on Cuchonacht, or Constan- 
 tine, Maguire, beginning " Cj\eb fnuj-gldj- mctc/tditj CijDje," " What is it that 
 awakes the sons of Erne." 
 
 25. Sixty-eight verses, addressed to Con, son of John O'Neill, begin- 
 ning " O;iaoi6 ledc <t UabtX\ji C-r^ti," " A theme to thee, oh generous 
 Conn." 
 
 26. One hundred and seventy-six verses, addressed to Cuchonnacht 
 Maguire, beginning " bo pecbctio puldijjg gctoibil," " The forbearance 
 of the Gathelians is seen." 
 
 ' 27. Two hundred and thirty-two verses, addressed to the son of Richard 
 de Burgo M'William, beginning " CDctcdip cogcid c;tioc OctnBa," " Mother 
 of war is the country of Banbha (Ireland)." 
 
 .28. Eighty-eight verses addressed to Hugh, son of Cuchonacht Maguire, 
 beginning " CD6)i ar\ cedpgyo opz; <s, "Jloo," " Great is thy wrath, oh Hugh." 
 
 Copies of the nine last-mentioned poems are in the collection of the 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 This author wrote several other poems on miscellaneous subjects, 
 imperfect copies of which are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cLxxix. Maurice O'Daly, O'Reilly's poet, flourished at this period. 
 We have met with only one poem of his writing; this is in praise of
 
 clxxxvi 
 
 Tullagli Mangain, the hill on which the princes of the House of O'Reilly 
 were inaugurated. It gives a Catalogue of the Kings or Princes of 
 East Brefny to his own time, beginning " COo turdige mrtfi rt z<i.o\ a Cbul- 
 fXig!" " Alas, that thou art thus, oh hill!" 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccLxxx. At this time lived in Dublin, the Rev. Florence Gray, 
 who had been a Divinity Lecturer in the College of Saint Anthony of 
 Fadua, in Lou vain. Harris, in his additions to Ware, says he wrote an 
 Irish Grammar. — We have not seen a copy of it. 
 
 ccLxxxi. At this time lived Conla Mac Geoghegan, an industrious 
 collector of the antiquities of his country. He compiled, from the Book 
 of Leacan and other ancient documents, a Leabhar Gahhala, or Book of 
 Conquests ; a Rehn Rioghraidhe, or Catalogue of Kings ; and a Gene- 
 alogy of the Saints of Ireland, which were afterwards revised and en- 
 larged by Michael O'Clery and others. He also wrote Annals of Ireland, 
 from the earliest account of time, to the year 1466. He dates this book 
 on the last day of June, 1627. It is now in the library of Trinity College, 
 but we cannot say where his other works are to be found. 
 
 A. D. 1632, 
 
 ccLxxxii. In this year was begun to be compiled, in the Franciscan 
 Convent of Dunagall, that noble repertory of Irish history, the " Annals 
 OF Dunagall," otherwise called the " Annals of the Four Masters." 
 The first title they took from the place in which they were written, but 
 why they should be called by the second name is not easy to conceive, as 
 there were in reality six persons concerned in the compilation of them. 
 This we learn from the certificate prefixed to the work, signed by the two 
 gentlemen who had been superiors of the convent whilst it was in pro- 
 gress.
 
 clxxxvii 
 
 To show from what works these annals were compiled, and the persons 
 employed in the compilation, we here give a literal translation of the 
 certificate above mentioned : — 
 
 " The Fathers of the Order of St. Francis, who sign their hands here- 
 " unto, testify that it was Ferrall O'Gara who induced the bi other 
 " Michael O'Clery to collect the chronologers and learned men together, 
 " by whom this Book of Records and Annals of Ireland were written, 
 " (so much as they were able to obtain materials to write ;) and that it 
 " was the same Ferrall who save them a remuneration for their labour. 
 
 " This Book is divided into two parts, and from the beginning to the 
 " end it was written in the Convent of the Brothers of Dunagall, they 
 " giving attendance and supplying necessary food. In this Convent was 
 '* begun and written the first Book, in the year 1632, at the time that the 
 *' father Bernardin O'Clery was guardian. 
 
 " The chronologers and learned men who were employed in writing 
 *' this Book, and in collecting the various Books from which it was coni- 
 " piled, were Michael O'Clery ; Maurice, son of Torna O'Maolconaire, 
 " who attended during one month ; Ferfeasa, son of Loghlain O'Maol- 
 " conaire, (these two were from the county Roscommon ;) Cucoigcrighe 
 " O'Clery, of the county Dunagall; Cucoigcrighe O'Duigenan, of the 
 " county Roscommon ; and Conaire O'Clery, of the county Dunagall. 
 
 " These are the old Books they had in their possession : the Book of 
 " Clonmacnois, blessed by Saint Kiaran Mac-an-tsauir, (son of the Artist;) 
 ** the Book of the Island of Saints on Lough Rive; the Book of Senait 
 "Mac Manus on Lough Erne," (now called the Ulster Annals); "the 
 " Book of the O'Maolconaires ; the Book of th<? O'Duigenans of Kil- 
 " ronan ; the Book of Records of the Mac Firbis's, which they procured 
 " after they had written the greater part of the Book ; and from that 
 " Book they wrote whatever they found supplementary and necessary to 
 " them, which were not in the first Books they had procured ; for the 
 " Book of Cluain-mac-nois, and the Book of the Island of All Saints 
 " contained nothing, except to the year 1227. 
 
 ** The second Book of this work commences with the year 1208, and 
 " was begun to be written in the year of Christ, 163-5, in which the 
 " Father Christopher (Donlevy), surnamed Ultach the (Ultonian), was 
 
 c c
 
 clxxxviii 
 
 " guardian ; and this part is continued to the year 1608, when the Father 
 " Bernardin O'Clery was again Guardian. The above-mentioned Michael 
 " O'Clery, Cucoigcrighe O'Clery, and Conaire O'Clery, wrote the latter 
 " Book from 1332 to 1608. These are the Books from which the afore- 
 •' said three compiled the principal part of this Book :— the Book of the 
 " O'Maolconaires, to the year 1505, which is the last year in that Book ; 
 " the Book of the O'Duigenans, from the year 900 to the year 1563 ; 
 " the Book of Senait Mac Manus, which comes to the year 1532 ; a 
 '* fragment of the Book of Cucoigcrighe, son of Dermod, son of Teige 
 " cam O'Clery, from the year 1281 to 1537 ; the Book of Maoilin 02: 
 " Mac Bruody, (or Brodin) from the year 1588 to 1603 ; the Book of 
 " Lughaidh O'Clery, from 1586 to 1602. We have seen all these Books 
 <' with those learned men after they came to us, and other Books of 
 " Records which it would be a delay to name. In proof of what we have 
 " above written, we have affixed our manual signatures in the convent of 
 " Dunegall, this 10th day of August, 1636. 
 
 " Bernardinus O'Clery, Guardianus Dunagallensis. 
 " Br. Maurice Ultach (Dunlevy).'* 
 
 This certificate is countersigned by Brother Michael O'Clery, Maurice 
 O'Maolconaire, Ferfeasa O'Maolconaire, Cucoigcriche O'Clery, and 
 Conaire O'Clery. 
 
 The dedication of this Book to Ferrall O'Gara, Lord of Moy O'Gara, 
 and Coolavin, and one of the knights elected to represent the county of 
 Sligo in the Parliament held in Dublin in 1634, was written and signed 
 by Michael O'Clery, by which it appears that he was the principal person 
 under whose direction this work was carried on. The original copy was 
 bound in two volumes folio, the first of which, commencing with the year 
 of the world 2242, and ending with the year of our Lord 1171, was in the 
 library of the late venerable Charles O'Conor, of Belanagare, and is now 
 deposited by his grandson, the Rev. Charles O'Connor, in the library of 
 the Marquis of Buckingham, at Stowe, together with many other valuable 
 Irish manuscripts. The second volume of the original, commencing A. D. 
 1335, and ending A. D. 1605, is in the library of Trinity College.
 
 clxxxix 
 
 la this work there is a chasm from the year 1171 to 1335, which may 
 be supplied from the continuation of the Annals of Tigernach, and from 
 the Annals of Ulster. Copies of these Annals are not numerous. The 
 first volume of the original is copied into two volumes quarto, in the 
 library of Trinity College, which, with the second volume of the original, 
 make the College copy complete. The late Chevalier Thomas O'Gor- 
 man had a complete set, from which the writer of this account was 
 making a copy, which he had nearly completed, when the removal from 
 Dublin, and subsequent death of his friend the Chevalier, prevented him 
 from finishina: it. 
 
 Besides the Annals of Dunagall, these writers collectively compiled the 
 Leabhar Gabhala, or Book of Conquests ; the Reim Rioghraldhe, or regal 
 Catalogue, and a Genealogy of the Saints of Ireland. The Book of 
 Conquests was compiled in the convent of Lisgoole, under the patronage 
 of Brian roe Maguire, first Lord of Eniskillen. In this work the writers 
 were assisted by Giolla Patrick O'Luinin, of Ard O'Luinin, in the 
 county Fermanagh. The testimonies and approbations to this work are 
 signed by Francis M'Craith, Guardian of Lisgoole, on the 22d December, 
 1631 ; and by Flann, son of Carbry Mac Egan, of Bally Mac Egan, in 
 the county Tipperary, on the 31 st August, 1631. The Reim Riogh- 
 roide was begun to be compiled in the house of Conall Mac Geoghegan, 
 and finished in the Observantine Convent, at Athlone, on the 4th No- 
 vember, 1630. This work was carried on under the patronage of Torlogh 
 Mac Coghlan, Lord of Dealbhna Eathra, part of the ancient kingdom of 
 Meath, now called the Barony of Garry Castle, in the King's County. 
 
 Copies of the Book of Conquests are in the library of Trinity College, 
 and in that of William Monck Mason, Esq. The original is in the collec- 
 tion of Irish manuscripts belonging to the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 Copy of the Reim Rioguraidhe, or Regal Catalogue, and the Genealogy 
 of the Saints, is also in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 Besides the above works written by these authors collectively, there are 
 other works executed by some of them individually. 
 
 ccLxxxiii. Michael O'Clerv wrote, and published in Louvain, in the 
 year 1643, a Vocabulary, in which many of the hard, or obsolete words
 
 cxc 
 
 in till' Irish language were explained by words in common use in tlie 
 modern langiiage of our country. This work has now become exceed- 
 ingly scarce. A copy of it was sold at the late General Vallancey's sale 
 for six guineas. There is a MS. copy in possession of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary. 
 
 This writer also translated into Irish the Rules of the Religious order 
 of St. Clare, in the year 1636. 
 
 Copy in the Marquis of Buckingham's library, at Stowe. 
 
 ccLxxxiv. CucoiGCRiCHE O'Clrry, bcsidcs the part he took in the 
 compilations of the Annals, &c. wrote a life of Aodh roe O'Donell, 
 chief of Tirconell, who invited the Spaniards to invade Ireland in the 
 early part of the reign of James the First. 
 
 The original copy of this work is in the library of William Monck 
 Mason, Esq. and a transcript of it is in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary, who has now nearly translated into English, with an intent to 
 publish, tliis invaluable piece of Irish history. 
 
 Perhaps this author may be the same as the Cucoigcriche O'Clery, 
 which we have mentioned under the year 1620. 
 
 ccLxxxv. CccoiGCRicHE (son of Toolc biiidhe) O'Duigeanan, one of 
 the writers of the Annals of the Four Masters, &c. was also the author 
 of a poem, beginning " ^loin ycmc coy-ndm na ccecdl," " Only protecting 
 shield of the churches," on the return of Teige O'Rody from London, 
 in 1641. 
 
 ccLxxxvi. ccLXXXvii. ccLxxxviii. Of works written by Fearfeasa 
 O'Maolconare, CoNAiNG O'Clery, and Maurice O'Maolconaire, we 
 know no more than the part they took in the compilation of the Annals 
 of the Four Masters, the Reimrioghraidhe, ^-c. unless we suppose the 
 last-named writer to be the same as the Maurice O'Maolconaire we 
 mentioned under the year 1600, at page clix. 
 
 A. D. 1636. 
 
 ccLxxxix. In this year Cathal Mac Muireadhaigh, or Mac Muirich, 
 as he is called in the Erse dialect, wrote his poem on the Mac Donalds,
 
 CXCl 
 
 one hundred and twelve verses, addressed to Colla Ciotach Mac Donald, 
 beginning " Sctoc liom 60 ton a CboUd," " Trouble to me is thy state, oh 
 Colla." 
 
 This poem, in the hand-writing of the author, is in the library of 
 Trinity College, class H. No. 54. 
 
 Mr. As<le, in his " Origin and Progress of Writing," plate 22, speci- 
 men 6, gives a fac simile of this author's hand-writing, and erroneously 
 says it was taken from an Erse manuscript, written in the loth century. 
 
 A. D. 1639. 
 
 ccxc. Theobald Stapleton, an Irish priest, was author of a Latin 
 and Irish Catechism, which he published at Brussells, this year, in 
 Roman letter, and a quarto form. It is now a very scarce book, but 
 there is a copy in the library of Trinity College. 
 
 A. D. 1640. 
 
 ccxci. At this time flourished Owen roe M'an BhaIrd, a Franciscan 
 friar, author of the following poems : 
 
 1. One hundred and eight verses, beginning " 21 pifi feaca{ uaiz ait 
 cJiccim !" " Oh man, who beholdest the bone !" Reflections on the vanity 
 of this world. 
 
 2. Two hundred and thirty verses, beginning " gldc <t ioropaiii comprtifl 
 c6fnai;ile," " Accept, my friend, a friend's advice." Instructions for a 
 holy life. 
 
 3. On the pleasures of a religious life, and on the habit of the order 
 of Saint Francis, sixty verses, beginning " ^or\mr,■n Cpiof co C0I5 f^emneac," 
 " Sweet is the girdle with painful stings."
 
 c'lxcii 
 
 4. On receiving news of young O'Donell's return, sixteen verses, 
 beginning " loom-rjo fgr^'Iier) -f^^aoilzeof. -fun/' " Pleasant news reported 
 here." 
 
 Copies of all these are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxcii. At this time lived Edmond M'Donogh, author of a short 
 poem, on the evil propensities of the flesh, twenty-eight verses, begin- 
 ning " COo ied^Af^ bet )i5lciccrt d cr,]^-p !" " My advice, if taken, O body!'* 
 
 Copy in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 A. D. 1641. 
 
 ccxcin. Fergal Mutmhneach ODcigenan was author of a poem on 
 the return of Teige O'Rody from London, in this year, forty-eight 
 verses, beginning " (Dale rjttic bo toigedcc a. Cbciibj !" " You came in 
 good time, oh Teige !" 
 
 Copy in collection of Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1643. 
 
 ccxciv. At this time flourished the Right Reverend Thomas Dease, 
 R. C. Bishop of Meath, and one of the Supreme Council of the con- 
 federate Catholics. The following poems, written by him, have come 
 down to our times : 
 
 1. Advice to a young lady, forty-eight verses, beginning " ^ab mo 
 ceagdfs a \y)pn 615," " Accept my counsel, youthful fair." 
 
 2. Beginning " COo/i beimnirsdb utt cconop^yjac," " Much is affirmed of 
 the associates." 
 
 3. One hundred and forty-four verses, beginning " Ti]rie<x-f mo iiomW a 
 ShedmaY," " 1 have made my will, oh James." 
 
 Copies of all these are in possession of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 clxciii 
 
 A. D. 1645. 
 
 ccxcv. In this year the Rev. Anthony Gernon, a Franciscan Friar 
 of the college of St. Anthony, in Louvain, published his pdpptdf an 
 ^Inrnd, or Paradise of the Soul, a catechism, containing instructions for a 
 Christian life. This author was living in 1667. 
 
 This is now a very scarce book, but there are copies of it in possession 
 of William Monck Mason, Esq. John M'Namara^ Esq. and the Assistant 
 Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1649. 
 
 ccxcvi. SoMHAiRLE Mac AN Bhaird flourished at this time, as 
 appears by the last rann but one of his elegy on the death of Aodb 
 buidhe O'Donell, who died in this year. This poem consists of two 
 hundred and eighty verses, beginning " }<leaj\z 506 ri/te dip C\fi ChondiU," 
 " The energy of every country is in Tirconell." 
 
 Copies of this poem are in the books of the late Rev. Paul O'Brien, 
 and in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1650. 
 
 ccxcvii. About this time died the Irish Herodotus, the Rev. Geoffry 
 Keating, D. D. By an inscription over the door of the church of 
 Tubrid, in his native county of Tipperary, it appears that that edifice 
 was founded by the Rev. Eugene Duhy, vicar of Tubrid, and Doctor 
 Geoffrey Keating, in A. D. 1644. He was a pious and learned priest, 
 and author of many works in his native language, both verse and prose. 
 We here insert a list of such of his compositions as have come under 
 our observation. 
 
 1. A History of Ireland, from the earliest account of time, to the 
 Anglo-Norman invasion. The title of this, in the original, is " foftuj-
 
 CXCIV 
 
 feaya a^n Ciftii)," " Rudiments of knowledge on Ireland." A faulty trans- 
 lation of this work, in folio, by Derniod O'Conor, was published in 
 London and Dublin, in 1723. It has been republished in two volumes 
 octavo, by Christie, Dublin, 1809. A new and correct translation of this 
 work, as far as the Christian Era, was published in one volume octavo, 
 Dublin 1811, with the original Irish on opposite pages, by the late 
 Mr. William Haliday. It is to be lamented, that a lingering sickness 
 and early death prevented this highly talented young gentleman from 
 finishing his translation. 
 
 2. A treatise on the Mass, called " Cocdi)! f ciat cirj Qlip^^ion," " A key 
 to the shield of the Mass." 
 
 3. A moral treatise on Death, called " C;t) bio^tgaoite di) Bdiy," 
 " Three pointed shafts of death." 
 
 4. A poem in praise of Ireland, written while the author was on the 
 continent, twenty-four verses, beginning " COo bectrjflcc ledc a. ■f^'ibxri,'" 
 " My blessing with thee, oh writing." 
 
 5. A poem in praise of Teige O'Coffey, a celebrated performer on the 
 harp, thirty-six verses, beginning " Cid dri cfdoi le -fernzecji an Cff»;c," 
 " Who is the sage by whom the harp is struck." 
 
 6. A poem on the miseries of Ireland, twenty verses, beginning " On 
 ^geoil bo C|ici6 OOdj pail ni coblaim oi6ce," " From the news that pains 
 Moy-Fail (Ireland) 1 sleep not a night." 
 
 ccxcfiii. At this time lived Teige roe O'Conor, author of a poem in 
 dispraise of a harper, forty-four verses, beginning " Sdoi le ye<(|tbu|- 
 eoin fnic Coin," " A sage in harshness is John Mac John." 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccxcix. The Father Thomas M'Rory flourished at this time. He was 
 author of an elegy on the death of Owen Roe O'Neill, Commander in 
 Chief of the Forces of the Confederate Catholics, who lost his life by a 
 pair of poisoned boots, in A. D. 1649, one hundred and fifty four verses, 
 beginning, " bo cciiU Cipe a ceile p'|ie," " Ireland has lost her true com- 
 panion." 
 
 This poem was translated into English by the Hon. Arthur Brownlow, 
 in the year 1700.
 
 cxcv 
 
 Copies of both the original and translation, are in the manuscript 
 collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccc. Dermod O'Sullivan flourished at this period. He was autlior 
 of a poem, containing forty-eight verses, on the former and then present 
 state of Ireland. It begins " f']\Of\ hpo^ac ■f\r) tt cc^iocctjii CiSi/t tnoift," 
 " We were unacquainted in the districts of mighty Heber." 
 
 ccci. Conor O'Riordan was cotemporary with the last-mentioned 
 author, and wrote an answer to his poem, consisting of forty-four verses, 
 beginning "An z\Jin bo hioba^ gaoibil <i nC\j\v) beo," " When the Ga- 
 thelians were alive in Erin." 
 
 Copies of both these poems are in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccii. CiAN O'Heichiaran lived at this time; he was author of a 
 poem on the deaths of the Earl of Tirone, and of Henry, son of Owen 
 roe O'Neill, one hundred and sixteen verses, beginning " Cdimc c/iioc 
 aift olc neftion," " An end has come to the misfortune of Erin." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccciii. About this period lived Patrick O'Donelly ( Don^liaoile) au- 
 thor of an ironical elegy on the death of Owen Liddy. This poem 
 consists of ninety-two verses, beginning " Ouan ttrj edyBcdj hA-c eojdin," 
 " The death of Owen is a lasting loss." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 ccciv. At this time also lived Torlogh og M'Donogh, author of a 
 poem addressed to a friar who had forsaken his religion, thirty-six verses, 
 beginning, " ^t b^idtai/t eoin roa cd 60 tpidU, " Oh brother John, if thou 
 art going." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccv. At this period also flourished Doctor John O'Conell, Roman 
 Catholic Bishop of Ardfert, or Kerry. He was author of a metrical 
 account of some facts relating to the History of Ireland, beginning 
 " ■JUrai;! ■fmra.mrn ttiji ^-aoicili net hCijtectJi," " When I reflect on the nobles 
 of Ireland." 
 
 Copies of this poem are in the hands of every Irish scholar. 
 
 d d
 
 CXCVl 
 
 A. D. 1652. 
 
 cccvF. David O'Bruadair (Broderkk), a native of the county Limerick, 
 lived at this time. He was author of the following poems, and of some 
 others that we have seen, but do not know where they are now to be 
 found. 
 
 1. Sixty-eight verses, beginning " la lugtidyct ypiunaib luc6 |-didij^eaj-rt," 
 " On Lammas-day the people of riches pull." 
 
 2. Two hundred and four verses, on the Irish surrendering their arras, 
 and on the beheading of King Charles the First. This poem begins 
 " C^efX'zz 60 65 il m <xm<X\^\^t&c galdi;*," " I received a wound in my state 
 of sickness." This poem was written in 1652. 
 
 3. Twenty-four verses, addressed to our Lord Jesus Christ, beginning 
 " 'JlS/icCim i<x a. C£ti6lj|-e <t^ ccpu,'' " I adore thee, oh pride of our blood." 
 
 4. Twenty-eight verses on the same subject, beginning " go h^dt <t 
 roeic ;iu5 COTjfte mionbtjleccc," " For ever is the Son that Mary miraculously 
 bore." 
 
 Copies of the two first poems are in possession of the Assistant Secre- 
 tary , the two latter are in the library of John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 
 ■S. A poem, beginning " 5^ ainBpe(l|-dc pe(Jlncli;ie t)c(;i pidji n gl-rn?" 
 " Though the flayer be ignorant is not his knee crooked ?" 
 
 6. Beginning " ?l ^tig ncl C/itjTje 6o piJjife," " Oh God of the world that 
 made it." 
 
 7. Beginning " bo bi fttjne eigi)) ;<oim <xi\ ;ie ^-i," " There was a certain 
 man before this time." ' 
 
 8. Beginning " 1j- upc;«l6cic(r) ixim id6 <1 ndc/iu flig," " It is long a misery 
 to me they to be falling in the way." 
 
 9. Beginning " CDitib |-oicin) go Siol Ccctftidij," " It is time I should 
 go to the Mac Carthys." 
 
 The four poems last mentioned I have not seen ; the first lines were 
 sent to me by a friend, but he did not mention the subjects on which 
 they were written. 
 
 This writer also made a copy of the Leahhar Jrse of the O'Maolco- 
 uaires, now in the library of Trinity College. 
 
 He was living in the year 1692.
 
 CXCVll 
 
 A. D. 1655. 
 
 cccvii. Feargal og Mc. an Bhaird, lived at this period. He was 
 author of the following poems : 
 
 1. An elegy on the death of John O'Donell, who, according to the 
 last rann but one of this poem, died in the year 1655. It consists of 
 two hundred and thirty-two verses, beginning " bo roiftoeab ceanuf olttt) 
 CcTjrj," "The authority of the sons of Conn was raised." 
 
 2. One hundred and sixty verses on the descendants of Ir, son of 
 Milesius, particularly on the Magennises. This poem begins, " 1;iicil 
 codnctc cloirie bl/i," " Irial, treasure of the sons of Ir." 
 
 3. One hundred and eighty-six verses on the family of O'Ferrall, be- 
 ginning " par) fiat imfiib dicme 1/i," " In prosperity proceed the race of 
 Ir." 
 
 4. On the O'Donells, particularly Calbhach, son of Manus, two hun- 
 dred and forty-eight verses, beginning " C;ieom tt)i ceAnu-f Claf) bdltiig," 
 " Powerful the authority of the Clann Dalaigh." 
 
 5. On Dominick O'Donell, two hundred and forty-eight verses, begin- 
 ning " gdible jTobld pr,i CboJjtfiU/' " Props of Fudhla (Ireland) are the 
 race of Conall." 
 
 Copies of all these poems are in the library of John Mac Namara, Esq. 
 Numbers 1, 3, and 4 are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary.. 
 
 A. D. 1660. 
 
 cccviii.. At this time lived Cian O'Mahony, author of a short poem, 
 beginning " 51 bi^ne leij bo tex 50 c)iectj-6a yrdi^c bdm," " Oh man, gently 
 and pleasantly read your text to me." 
 
 Copy in collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccix. Maurice O'Dugan lived near Benburb, in the County Tyrone, 
 this year. He was author of the following poems, beginning
 
 CXCVlll 
 
 1. "'^\.rti:f 60 caSlac 50 medji meixninnac," "Set your lleet in motion 
 cheerfully, spiritedly." 
 
 2. " Obi Cogdu dijt bifle «5cif c/tir/t <X);t cm b-rjue," " Owen was in a rage, 
 and three on the man." 
 
 3. " pcCftdoift caiU Cifte <x ceile pf/^cectiH-," " Erin has lost her lawful 
 spouse." 
 
 4. " ]ro6la ar) bean a meat \f crdib rctd paoj-am," " Fodhla (Ireland) is a 
 woman in decay, and her strength is gone." 
 
 This author is also said to have been the writer of the Coolin, begin- 
 ning " C'r^'B ^^ "f^iB ^ i'fcicrtil ij- gleuy ixxm mo gea^t/itin, *' Arise from thy 
 seat, boy, and prepare my horse for me." 
 
 The four last-mentioned poems I have not seen ; the first lines were 
 communicated to me by a friend, but he does not mention the subjects on 
 which they were written. 
 
 A. D. 1662. 
 
 cccx. In this year the Rev. Richard Plunkett, a poor Brother of the 
 Franciscan Convent at Trim, in the county of Meath, wrote a Latin and 
 
 Irish Dictionary, now in Marsh's library. There is also a copy in 
 
 the library of Trinity College, Dublin. 
 
 A. D. 166t. 
 
 cccxi. In this year Richard Mac Giolla-Cuddy, or Archdekin, an 
 Irish Jesuit, printed at Louvain an Essay on Miracles, in English and 
 Irish, He died about the year 1690.
 
 CXCIX 
 
 A. D. ima. 
 
 cccxir. Rev. Fatlier Francis O'Mollov, a iiati\e of Meatb, a Fran- 
 ciscan Friar, and Lecturer in Divinity in the Colle^ic of Saint Isidore, in 
 Rome, published in that city, in this year, an Irish Catechism, under 
 the title of " l6c;iar) net Cc,<ei6meac," or " Lamp cf the Faithful," and in 
 the following year he published in the same city his Irish-Latin Grammar. 
 These books arc scarce, but copies are to be found in the library of 
 Trinity College. 
 
 A. D. 1680. 
 
 cccxiii. .John O'Dcinin, a Conaght poet, lived at this period. He 
 was author of an elegy on the death of Gearoid, or Garrett, son of 
 Teige O'Rody, and father of Teige oge O'Rody, who died on the 
 second day of August, in this year, eighty-eight verses, beginning 
 " Cfiudg tin mcti6mj-i «[|t mrticrje hl/t," " Sad is this breach on the sons of 
 Ir." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccxiv. Carroll oge O'Daly also lived at this period; he was author 
 of a Vision, consisting of twenty-eight verses, beginning " 'Jim leabct 
 dfiei;! 60 i-doiledj- peir) <( cecCcc," " In my bed last night I thought with 
 myself there came." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1681. 
 
 cccxv. Most Rev. Doctor Oliver Plunkett, R. C. Archbishop of 
 Armagh, who was executed in London on the 1st of July in this year, 
 upon a charge of high treason, of which he was completely innocent.
 
 CO 
 
 has left us a small poem, in the Irish language, on Tarah, where the 
 ancient nionarchs of Ireland held their court. This poem begins " "^l 
 Cbecimcti)t ))c( JI105 bob ciijam ledc," " Oh Tarah of the Kings, it was rare 
 with you." 
 
 Copy in collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1690. 
 
 cecxvi. At this period flourished William O'Kiaran, a native of the 
 lower part of Meath, bordering on Cavan. He was author of a poem, 
 consisting of thirty-six verses, on the three Marys, i. e. Mary the mother 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ, and her two sisters, Mary the mother of James 
 and John the Evangelist, and Mary the mother of Jacob and Mathias. 
 This poem begins " Sdgct^iz; 60 bi pecicb oile," " There was a priest in other 
 times." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccxvii. At this time also flourished Owen O'Donelly, an Ulster 
 Bard. He was author of the following poems: 
 
 1. An elegy on the death of Brian, son of Colla M'^Mahon, who died 
 in Dublin, according to this poem, in the year 1690. It consists of one 
 hundred and twenty verses, beginning " Cjiom VfX 5c(T;ttaj-a t( leit Chtjo," 
 " Sad these shouts, oh Leith Chuinn." 
 
 2. A poem, beginning " Crypj-eac ban dig eipge Ide," Woeful to me the 
 rising of the day." 
 
 3. One hundred and twenty verses, in answer to Dermod, son of Lewis 
 Mac an Bhaird, who had praised the descendants of Ir, and set them up 
 as superior to those of his brothers Heber and Heremon. This poem 
 begins " 1j- Mn tU) fgerlj-ct zeatb 6ct tig," " Bad is this news that came 
 to your house." 
 
 Copies in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccxvm. Teige O'Duimn lived about the time of the battle of the 
 Boyne. He was author of a poem, consisting of sixty verses, beginnino
 
 CCl 
 
 " 1^ len liom lea^<l6 M Bpldcct i^ titx iipio;iTCiij-le," " Sorrowful to me is (he 
 defeat of the princes and the true nobility," on the miserable state of 
 the Irish, after being deserted by King James II. 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccxix. At this time also flourished Dermod roe O'Muireauhaigm, 
 or O'MuRRAY, author of a poem addressed to a Priest of the name of 
 O'Phelan, who renounced the church and married a wife. This poem 
 consists of thirty-two verses, beginning " 5^ cttpTjb 5lrctij- cf yran ixi) 
 cfaojdil gcO) fS'C," " Quickly pass on from this worldly sleep, Avithout 
 delay." 
 
 A. D. 1691. 
 
 cccxx. At this time flourished Dermod, son of Lewis Mac an Bhaird, 
 a native of the county of Down. He is said to have written many poems, 
 but the two following are the only pieces of his composition that have 
 come under our observation. 
 
 1. A poem in praise of the descendants of Ir, son of Milesius, sixtj- 
 eight verses, beginning " 'SI Cbo/tmctic, ctjfnnij tco coiji," " O Cormac, 
 remember the right." 
 
 2. An Elegy on the supposed death of Teige O'Rody, one hundred 
 and forty verses, beginning " pio)ic;<ci6 d'Ciftinb zu^uf CbdiSg," " Un- 
 feigned grief to Erin is the journey of Teige," 
 
 The subject of this poem :■ — Teige O'Rody, having left Fiodhnach, ia 
 the county of Leitrim, his paternal inheritance, in the year 1689, and 
 removed into the county of Clare with his family, it was generally re- 
 ported through the lower Conaght and Ulster that he was dead, although 
 he lived for some years afterwards. On hearing this report, Mac an 
 Bhaird wrote the Elegy above mentioned ; from the last ratin but one of 
 which it appears that it was written in the year 1691. 
 
 Copies of these poems are in possession of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 cen 
 
 A. D. 1696. 
 
 cccxxi. At this time flourished Patrick og Mac an Bhaihd, author of 
 the following poems : 
 
 1. A description of Fiodhnagh of Maighrein, in the present county 
 Leitrim, the ancient patrimony of the O'Rodys, and an eulogium on 
 Teige, son of Garrett O'Rody, chief of his tribe, one hundred and 
 thiity-six verses, beginning " ?( piji tc(iy-6il Choice ChT,r)b,''^ " Oh man, who 
 travelled over the country of Conn," (Ireland). 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 2. On Donogli, son of Maolmuire M'Sweeny, one hundred and eighty- 
 six verses, beginning " C-rjd norto. d )iar)ljra\)) ei;iectjj," " Part of the shares 
 of Erin's trouble." 
 
 Copy in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 cccxxit. At this time also flourished John Ballagh O'Duigenan, author 
 of an Epistle to Teige O'Rody, twenty-eight verses, beginning " Oeaii- 
 acc ram 6 fiun cpoibe," '' Blessing from me from the love of my heart." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1700. 
 
 cccxxiii. CoNOK O'CoRAGAN livcd at the commencement of the 18th 
 century. He was author of a vision, in verse, beginning "bo bfoj- d fieiji 
 a. neul mo ledbd," " I was last night sleeping in my bed." 
 
 cccxxiv. At this tim6 also lived the Father Thomas O'Clery, Parish 
 Priest of Kill Ann, in the county of Cavan, and author of the two poems 
 following : 
 
 1. A recipe for the gout, forty- four verses, beginning " '^litne 6m bo 
 galuji," " Thy disease is known to nie." 
 
 2. An epistle to a friend, beginning " Oof. mo bediiocc 50 Comdiy," 
 " r :*v.- niv Mo?s'.!T>- to Thomar."
 
 CClll 
 
 Copies hi possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccxxv. Thomas O'Conuga also lived at this time. He was author of 
 a short poem in praise of the descendants of Ir, beginning " Cedpc 
 
 bealba butnAcz moled." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccxxvt. At this period also Hourished John mor O'Ragiiali.aigh, 
 br O'Reilly, son of Owen Claragh O'Reilly, a respectable farmer in the 
 village of Crossarlough, on the borders of Lough Sheelan, in the county 
 of Cavan. This writer was intende<l for the priesthood ; and for the 
 purpose of education was sent, by his parents, to the county of Kerry, 
 where he made great progress in the classics. On his return to the 
 county of Cavan, having given oflFence to some person, he was waylaid, 
 and attacked by six men, armed with bludgeons, one of whom he killed 
 with a single blow, in his own defence. Though acquitted, by the law 
 of the land, of the crime of murder, he was, by the canon law, disqua- 
 lified for the priesthood. Unwilling to remain longer on the scene of his 
 misfortune, he returned to Kerry, and there married a young woman of 
 the name of Egan, by whom he had Owen O'Reilly, a celebrated poet, 
 of whom we shall hereafter speak. John mor was the author of several 
 poems, which, but few years ago, were recited by the common people in 
 his native county ; and it is said that copies of many of them are to be 
 found in the county of Kerry. We have seen but one poem, the pro- 
 duction of this author, in which he regrets his absence from his native 
 soil. It begins " If ptXid liom nac rueioim o toe Lejy) 50 [oc Sijlin," 
 " Tedious to me that I go not from Lough Lein to Lough Sheelin." 
 
 cccxxvii. At this time also flourished Teige an Gadhra Mac Egan, 
 author of a poem against lying and flattering bards, forty-eight verses, 
 beginning " '21 luc6 cumuy ^neug yat) 6dn," " Oh ye who form lies in 
 verse." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccxxviii. NiALL M'Cannadh, or M'Kenna, a native of the Fews, 
 county of Armagh, a poet and musician, lived at this time. He removed 
 to Mullaghcrew, in the county of Louth, where he is said to have com- 
 
 e e
 
 CCIV 
 
 posed some poems and songs, of which we have been favoured with the 
 first lines of a few, by a friend : 
 
 1. " CDo lioile 'flat) br,z{e -fhf d Ch|iiucc(." 
 
 2. " 5^uc(ij- liom 50 beacz, cc ceart-^jiiXb bi zeAcz." 
 
 3. " '2(i)jift 6eclf c\T,n, le Hfx leigiy mo pm,^' 
 
 4. J^Ti mecl^timfct pan, m bpab zufO. t>iol." 
 
 He is said to be the author of the songs " Sheela bheag ni Choindhealbh- 
 an, or Little Celia Conlan," and the " Old Triugha." The words of 
 these songs may have been written by him, but the music is certainly of 
 an age long prior to his time. 
 
 cccxxix. At this time flourished Randal M'Donald, a poet of the 
 county of Donegal. The following first lines of so many poems written by 
 him were sent to the compiler by his friend, the late Rev. Paul O'Brien, 
 but the subjects on which they were written are not mentioned. They 
 begin 
 
 1. " Ql cdom ftig ar) zfo\r,f, ctrj fc/ioUaig 51I iy btiine Cjtuc." 
 
 2. " Vjie CKjf le 5clr) ctjyle le yic(ti|-ct f -rjlc." 
 
 3. " Oo gdete ttcd can df me ptXrj le ^eun-zr;jife." 
 
 4. " ?l CboipjibealBcCig 17 ^leiU, ollcim m cceu6." 
 
 5. f* 6ei;t bear)<i.tz 50 cdptiig udirn yfoy 50 ci/i ConctiU." 
 
 A. D. 1701. 
 
 cccxxx. Peter, son of Fearfeasa, son of Maoilseaghlainn O'Maol- 
 coNiAKE, lived at this time, an elderly man. He w^as the poet of the 
 O'Rody's, and author of the following poems : 
 
 1. Two hundred and twenty-four verses, beginning *■' ^haha6 w hra\<fle 
 ar) eagnci," " Wisdom is the beauty of nobility," on the O'Rodys, 
 tracing the ancestors of Teige, son of Garrett O'Rody, up to Ir, son of 
 Milesius. By the concluding verses of this poem it appears that Fion- 
 
 1
 
 ccv 
 
 guala (Penelope) daughter of Donogh, son of John riahhach (swarthy) 
 son of John geimlioch (captive) M'Namara, was the wife of Teige 
 O'Rody. 
 
 2. Sixty verses, beginning " Irj/iioc Cbfiioj-t; fd. co^ai5 chaibg," " Ar- 
 mour of Christ protect the feet of Teige," on Teige O'Rody being ill with 
 the gout, in the month of March, 1696. 
 
 3. Sixteen verses, beginning " Ql meic ged^ioid tin gloi/^ glom," " Oh 
 son of Garrett, of sincere speech," on Teige O'Rody's withholding his 
 usual new-year's reward from the poet. 
 
 4. On the marriage of Calbhach O'Maoileaghlainn with Mary, daugh- 
 ter of Mahon, son of Donogh M'Namara, and niece of Teige O'Rody's 
 wife, seventy-two verses, beginning " 'i\. «c(iniD Cb/tioj-c an ceclr)5alj-o," 
 " In the name of Christ, this league." 
 
 This marriage was celebrated on the 7th of July, 1701, in the house 
 of Teige O'Rody, where the bride was bred up from the eighth year of 
 her age, in 1692, until the day of her marriage. 
 
 5. On the miserable state of the ancient Irish nobility, beginning 
 " Z^Td^ mcf;i 60 cjteacrtb c/ifoc Cbr^rj," " Alas, that the country of Conn is 
 plundered." 
 
 Copies of all these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 cccxxxi. The Father Patrick O'Cuirsin also lived at this time. 
 He was author of a poem, consisting of eighty verses, on Teige O'Rody, 
 beginning " bei;iBprf« 6o'r) rdi^le ttn ecigw," " Wisdom is sister to nobility." 
 
 Copy with the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 The Rev. Doctor O'Conor, in his catalogue of the Irish Manuscripts 
 in the Marquis of Buckingham's library, at Stowe, mentions two other 
 poems by this author, one written in the year 1726, and the other in 1731. 
 We have not seen copies of them. 
 
 A. D. nos. 
 
 cccxxxii. At this period flourished William M'Carton, a poet, of 
 Ulster extraction, though said to have been a native of Munster. The
 
 CGVl 
 
 The following lines, furnished by my friend the late Doctor O'Brien^ 
 are the first of so many poems, or songs, written by him : 
 
 1. " 5lo leogan M Coige Ula6,"— (written on 28th April, 1703.) 
 
 2. " T?o ^Zf\]oc<ii> bom p/timftit 'ybo jtido mo lc(fn." 
 
 3. " 'Jl leabdi;! Big Cft^ 6o bdil dctm fr,lz aift pidndiB." 
 
 4. " CDo pein mo tu;t;iein, mo ti^^tye, mo leun, mo c^teac." 
 .5. " ^lio;i bo\j\he ar) ptj/ijAioij yw d Jiaiic-irjjit) SfieiS-" 
 
 A. D. 1704. 
 
 cccxxxni. Edmond O'Cassidy, a Conaght poet, flourished at this time. 
 He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. Forty-eight verses in praise of Teige O'Rody, beginning " Ctt 6;te<(m 
 lypeii/ift '«a -fhocb V," " What tribe is better than the race of Ir." 
 
 2. One hundred and four verses, beginning " Ciiiim comaijtle le bict," 
 " I receive counsel from God." The same subject as the foregoing. 
 
 3. Twelve verses on the recovery of Elise, the sister of Teige O'Rody, 
 from the small pox, in the month of June, 1704. This small poem 
 begins " Slctn pd eiftje Cliy-e," " Hail to thy rising, Elise." 
 
 4. One hundred and twenty verses, on the race of Ir, beginning " C06 
 no. mioricd c^iirtU go Uccibg," " More than often turn to Teige." 
 
 Copies of the above poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 Doctor O'Conor, in his account of the Stowe manuscripts, mentions 
 another poem by this author, beginning '* r^iom zrha^-fbe ciifi yiol CcoUd." 
 
 cccxxxiv. At this time also lived J EOFFREY, son of Torlogh O'Rourke, 
 author of four epigrams on Teige O'Rody, and his wife Fionguala, 
 daughter of M'Namara. They begin 
 
 1. " Qii) C]\aoh crmj\tx uaim 6o'n i;j'aoi, " The fragrant branch from me 
 to the sage." 
 
 2. " Ql)} CfidoH sltif ~<i tJiop 6 pedftTjb C(iic pctil," " The green branch is to 
 you from the men of Fail'ss fair land." 
 
 3. " 3t yaoi le ygctoilceci^t gcti ))o6," " Oh sage, by whom every difficulty 
 is dissolved."
 
 ccvu 
 
 4. " 51 cr,b ftorid 60 M miictilj ttjt leic," " This share to the women 
 belongs." 
 
 Copies in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccxxxv. At this time lived, far advanced in years, Teige, or Thady 
 O'RoDY, of Crossfield, in the county of Loitrim, Esq. the lineal repre- 
 sentative of the O'Rodys, princes of the territory of Fiodhnach Moy 
 Rein. He was an excellent scholar, well skilled in the Greek and 
 Latin languages, and intimately acquainted with the language, history ,^ 
 and antiquities of his native country ; although the author of the 
 Curiosities of Literature represents him as one scarcely knowing his own 
 language, and totally ignorant of all others. He was the intimate 
 friend of O'Flaherty, author of the Ogygia ; and also the friend and 
 correspondent of Sir Richard Cox, author of the History of Ireland, as 
 appears by a memorandum at the head of one of the volumes of the 
 Seabright collection of Irish MSS. now in the library of Trinity College. 
 He was a great patron of learning and men of science ; and to him the 
 poets of his day devoted many of their best compositions, as is fully 
 proved by the works of several of those just now mentioned, and by 
 others wliose names are forgotten. We have not met with any of 
 his compositions in Irish, except a poetic Epistle,, in reply to that of 
 John Ballagh O'Duigenan, mentioned at page ccii. O'Rody's Epistle 
 consists of fifty-six verses, beginning " Oiij le neat a rnola.6 pein, " Sweet 
 to a man is his own praise." 
 
 A fine copy of this poem, as well as some of the Latin poems of this 
 author, are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. no6. 
 
 cccxxxvi. In this year the Rev. Father Francis Walsh, a Franciscan 
 Friar, and Lecturer in Divinity in the College of St. Anthony, at Louvain, 
 wrote an Irish Vocabulary, in which the common words of the Irish lan- 
 guage are explained by more ancient and difficult words. 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary,
 
 CCVIU 
 
 A. D. not. 
 
 cccxxxvii. At ihis time lived the Rev. Father Anthony Cuif^lean, a 
 Franciscan friar, to whom we are indebted for the two following pieces : 
 
 1. An epigram on Father Patrick Darry's refusing entertainment to 
 Father Bon. O'Cuillean, Provincial of the Order of St. Francis. This 
 begins " Uwf a^uf )ii 6ec(;\naif ," " You have done, and you have not 
 done." 
 
 2. On the death of Hugh M'Dermott, who died at Shrule, in 1707, 
 twenty verses, beginning " J^lioyt fcaittie 'nd heatd bom "Jled^a cic6 clu," 
 " There was not known, in his life of my Hugh, but report." 
 
 Copies in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. It08. 
 
 CCCXXXVII I. At this time, and for some years after, lived the Rev. Father 
 Paul M'Aodhagan, or M'Egan, a Franciscan Friar. In the general per- 
 secution of the priests in the year 1708, he was confined in the Black-dog 
 prison, at Corn-market, near Newgate. He was author of the following 
 poems : 
 
 1. Forty verses, beginning " ledgtXij Xeo}n o'fX beAC^\jt eijije," "Afflic- 
 tions came, from which 'tis hard to rise," on the losses sustained by the 
 Irish in their adherence to king Charles and king James II. 
 
 2. Forty-four verses, in answer to the poem of John O'Neaghtan, or 
 O'Norton, No. 4, page ccxiii. In this poem he desires his friend to repent 
 of his faults, and amend. It was written on the twenty-sixth of February, 
 1708, and begins " Cfieall 6on cjl-r^rje ma. t\g bcirifctcbj" " The space is 
 short in which the world delights." 
 
 3. A vision, twenty-eight verses, beginning "'Jliyling bertg tiift Cijie 6o 
 cooc(i|ic me gdn 50," " A small vision on Erin I beheld without a lie." 
 
 4. The moans of Paul M'Egan, fifty-two verses, beginning " buji^cdn 
 b-qn gflc lc( ^ y-5cJn|<ci6," " Woful to us each day's dispersion," on the 
 miserable state of the Irish, both clergy and laity.
 
 CCIX 
 
 5. Verses on the author's want of snuff, from his prison to his friend 
 William Taaffe, beginning " O cjiiocnccb gan yndoijr-ymrjc, gdr) zfori<Xf, ^ai) 
 Cf ec())," *' From the end without snuff, without pleasure or happiness." 
 
 6. An epigram on a person of the name of John Kelly, who had re- 
 nounced the Roman Catholic religion, and drew his sword on the author.. 
 This composition begins " OM-f djt cloibiotn dit^iigecC/i CjieiMom," " If by a 
 sword the faith is known." 
 
 Copies of all these, and some letters of this author, in Irish, are in 
 possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1710. 
 
 cccxxxix. Cathal O'Heislionan lived at this period. He was author 
 of the following poems : 
 
 1. Twenty-four verses, addressed to Torlogh O'Donell, on his coming 
 to Dublin, beginning " pciilce tjtjc 50 WlitJ-clidc," " Welcome to thee to 
 Dublin." 
 
 2. Forty-four verses on the recovery of the Duke of Berwick from a 
 fit of sickness, beginning " Qiibdn grfi/te d'lnif p3:il," " Cause of joy to 
 Inis-fail (Ireland)." 
 
 Copies in possession of the Assistant Secretary^ 
 
 cccxL. At this time also lived the Rev. Philip Brady, known by 
 the names of Parson Brady, and Philip Ministeir, a clergyman of the 
 county of Cavan. He was a man of great wit, a good scholar, and 
 particularly well versed in the language of his country. Many of his 
 epigi ■:»ms and witty sayings, and some short poems of his composition, 
 are recited by the common people in the counties of Meath and Cavan, 
 which it is to be wished some competent persons would commit to 
 writing. He translated into Irish some of those Sermons which were 
 published by Richardson in 1711. 
 
 Copies of some short poems of his writing, particularly one addressed 
 to Torlogh O'Carolan, are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary.
 
 OCX 
 
 A. D. 1712. 
 
 cccxLt. FiACHRA M'Brady, a witty school-mastor, of Stradoiie, in the 
 county of Cavan, and a tolerably good poet, lived in this year, as appears 
 fe'y some of his poems. 
 
 He was author of the following pieces: 
 
 1. A humorous poetical description of his travels, beginning " f<\<iic 
 c/iudj liSy-e c^Ufxbe, ^ac Suc(i;ieat) ixX butcplctib," " Do you not grieve, ray 
 friends, for the troubles that befel." 
 
 2. A vision, beginning " Cbo))ai;tc me ttij-lmg cCi/t mo le&ha. md;i «bo cipirj bean,'" 
 " I saw a vision on my bed, as if I saw a woman." 
 
 The first of these poems was published in the Anthologia Hibernica 
 for October 1793, and in the same Magazine for December 1793, was 
 published a translation of it into English, in the same measure as the 
 original. In the same month was published number 2, with a promise of 
 a translation, but it was never published. 
 
 3. A confession of his faults, beginning " '^r}'\6m biomuy, f)(tiyim .{ctoifie 
 bid botTDidit;," " I indulge in pride, 1 break the holidays and Sabbath." 
 
 Copies of these, as well as some smaller poems and songs by the same 
 author, are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 Three more poems by M'Brady were in possession of the late Doctor 
 O'Brien, the first lines of which he communicated to the compiler, but 
 did not mention the subjects on which they were written : 
 
 1. " ImcMn pciilce brjc mo 6dil." 
 
 2. " ^f pioj-dc 6o cji\oca\h pobla." 
 
 3. " ^■f c;ticimTj))ectc yiTje an bj\em net r)6pec(j-." 
 
 cccxLii. Aodh, or Hugh Mac Gowran, of Glengoole, in the county of 
 Leitrim, author of the Plearaca na Ruarcach, or Revelry of O'Rourke, 
 tlourished at this period. Dean Swift published a verse translation of 
 this poem from a literal translation into English, made purposely for 
 him. A fuller, and better translation into English verse, from the 
 original, was published in Dublin, about thirty years ago, by a neglected 
 genius of the name of Wilson. This poem begins " plect/^Scct M
 
 CCXl 
 
 Tiraj\.c<xc <t ccir;m«e r;le br^ne," " The revel-rout of the O'Rourks is in 
 the memory of all men." 
 
 Copies are common in the hands of every Irish scholar. 
 
 He also wrote a poem on losing his horse at a time that he went into 
 the county of Roscommon, to woo the daughter of O'Duigenan. This 
 poem consists of twenty-four verses, beginning " 71 ghetift/tdit) le'ft caill- 
 edjf mo y-efl/ic," " Oh Garran, by whom I have lost my love." 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccxLiii. James M'Cuairt, or Courtney, commonly called Dall 
 M'CuAiRT, a native of Criamhthan, in the county of Louth, flourished 
 at this time. He was author of the following songs and poems : 
 
 1. On Brian O' Byrne's horse. Punch, beginning " b'pertjift lion) -^td^^^^t) 
 Obfimin 17 Db;<oi)i," " I wish I had Brian O'Byrne's horse." 
 
 2. Two hundred and ten verses on the battle of Aujrhrim, and the 
 death of Somhairle M'Donald, beginning " Sdn edcbffrjit) tU) ^ifl <lcSi6 net 
 comwiij," " In Aughrim of Slaughter, there are found." 
 
 3. On a great match of foot-ball played at Slane, on the banks of 
 the Boyne, between the young men of the counties of Meath and Louth, 
 eighty-eight verses, beginning " Oct haisedrjrct c^ibeamuil mo fndoiaijp 
 arjiof," " High-spirited, courageous, were my friends above." 
 
 4. On the merits of Christ, and the salvation of man, one hundred 
 verses, beginning " ^f cldoibce cui;i 'Jldam pe rjd clarjuiB," " Adam entailed 
 destruction on his children." 
 
 5. On the Blessed Virgin Mary, one hundred and seventy-six verses, 
 beginning " ?l blad ntx ppacfiid/ic 'f'* ))?ti))5eal/' " Garland of the 
 Patriarchs and the Angels." 
 
 6. Addressed to Torlogh O'Carolan, on his return to Meath from 
 Conaght, eighteen verses, beginning " bd miUiuin bedg pciilce 6\h, 6 S/tuf 
 COeabBtt i)i5ear) Caccic," " Twelve millions of welcomes to you, from the 
 mansion of Meave, daughter of Eochaidh." 
 
 7. Twenty verses on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, be£:innino- 
 " Ql bi^oe nac lei^t iJi^c c/teacuct 0^0161 on 6«ll,'' " Oh man, who from 
 blindness seest not the wounds of his heart." 
 
 8. Fifty-two verses addressed to our Lord Jesus Christ, beginning 
 " 1ti|tft(tin) 60 beil)jcicc 5tt)i peijtg," " I beseech thy blessing without anger." 
 
 f f
 
 CCXH 
 
 9. A small poem beginning; " 5*^^ "^^^ pedcdc bocc gctti c/ieoi;i," 
 '• Every poor sinner without a guide." 
 
 10. In praise of Qlm m Qi)beic an jctbctn, or Nancy Smith, forty-eight 
 verses, beginning " ^{ midri leamytt t:|t£tcc <ti^ f geim Jid mrjtt," " I desire to 
 treat on the beauty of the woman." 
 
 11. A song, beginning " ?t CcjUctiritctD yio^ ttcct mo iioittji," " In Creevin 
 below is my desire." 
 
 12. A song on Rose O'Reilly, beginning " Sf mo J?6iy Obfieipneccc 600 
 pjjoft ??a5aUdi5," " She is my Rose of Brefny, of the race of O'Reilly." 
 
 The following first lines of so many different poems, or songs, were 
 communicated to the compiler, from memory, by his friend, the late 
 Doctor O'Brien : 
 
 13. " ei6i|t 6a ci|t ccdlpedjt me coidce." 
 
 14. " CbctiU me lem' lomdifice einecickn mo ^ua^ca\f.^' 
 
 15 " CDo 6a |iof5, mo 6'ci jiaSHflc, mo 6i &bftoicea6 ttifi gac a.ha.\ri." 
 
 16. " 'Jl Hubjictij, nac ccW,n za <in caoc." 
 
 17. " Cd |-C(tc;tt 6c(ice, 6uc(l<ic, £115 dfcdfttlb ledc 50 puajt-ldj,." 
 
 18. " Cjldb eigcion gctc c'lile, udi^le Ciflioj) tjifi 6ibi;tc." 
 39. " pdilce a^Uf piece a'cfr) lar)cimcilj)." 
 
 20. " CDo tuftttf 50 CuUac o Q><tt." 
 
 21. •' f^lac buciftttt curtiS mo y-udii) d fteijt 6om." 
 
 22. " Ce nccc mccit if leujl 60m net ledbrfijt 5aoi6il5e." 
 
 23. " "Jl cectcrc(i)<e tei6 50 pect;<^c()i ttn CDbctijjte." 
 
 24. " Nd/t fzab nd ^apta,, no gfiedddS lam." 
 
 25. " pSilce 6o'n Cui) ij- tine dijt cyidoJ)." 
 
 26. " '21 B6in d h6 ttig bogcC bedflg." 
 
 27. " Cujt Cfii^iiedS aift 60 y-ludigce." 
 
 28. " ?t cui/ii; net peile, cd'ji gab ro'p^ilce." 
 
 29. " J*>ld tdgcdft o^m d /tig rm ^tufj." 
 
 Copies of the first ten poems are in the collection of the Assistant 
 Secretary. It is much to be regretted that the remainder, and some 
 others that we have seen, are not collected, and deposited in some 
 public library. They are possessed of much poetic merit.
 
 CCXIU 
 
 A. D. ni3. 
 
 cccxLiv, Francis Nugent, a native of Mullingar, in the county of 
 Westmeath, lived at this time. He was author of two short poems 
 addressed to Father Paul M'Egan. 
 
 Copies in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1114. 
 
 cccxLV. Thomas O'CoNDuiBH, a native of the county Clare, lived at this 
 time. He was author of a poem on the death of Donogh O'Loghlainn, 
 of Burren, who died this year, sixteen verses, beginning " Ojicjid, bedji, 
 boncdb caoifn, O'locldiri d cc/ie fince," " Sorrow, tears, gentle Donogh 
 O'Loghlainn in the clay is stretched." 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1115. 
 
 cccxLvr. John O'Neaghtan, or Norton, lived at this time in the county 
 of Meath, a man much advanced in years. He was author of many 
 original pieces, and translated several others from the Latin language 
 into Irish. Amongst his works are to be found the following : 
 
 1. A poem of forty verses, beginning " ^t^ citonj 6o co6lc( CPhrjiie 
 inoifl," " Heavy is thy sleep, Oh glorious Mary." By a memorandum 
 prefixed to this, it was written shortly after the battle of the Boyne, 
 when the author was deprived of all his property by the English soldiers, 
 except one small Irish book, which they left with him, because they 
 could not read it. 
 
 2. Sixty-four verses on the imprisonment of the Rev. Doctor Patrick 
 O'Donelly, a Roman Catholic Bishop, beginning " Olc ttn fseul if 
 ■j-gdoil <t ))e," " Bad is the story reported yesterday."
 
 CCXIV 
 
 3. " Forty-four verses, on the imprisonment of Father Paul M'Egan, 
 and five other priests, beginning " 21 feaj\£ if anfcicc gac ^aoic," " Oh 
 love and delight of every sage." 
 
 4. " Forty-eight verses, beginning " Cbugdf 'ot,z m^T,le atiyctcc,'" " I 
 gave you all my love," on the affection he had for Father Paul 
 M'Egan, to whom he here confesses his faults. This was written in 
 February 1708. 
 
 5. Forty verses, on forgetting his gloves in the Dominican chapel 
 of Cook-street, Dublin, beginning " ^l cli<t;i |*in i"j<rti6 net gcocaijiig," 
 " Oh ye Priests of Cook-street." 
 
 6. Sixteen verses, lamenting the expulsion of Father Paul M'Egan 
 from the Chapel of Thomas-street to Kilmainham, beginning " Ccc na 
 bTjle 1I15 fedjia'o 6ilion,'* " The elements are pouring a flood." 
 
 7. Verses in reply to Father Paul M'Egan's verses, No. S, page ccix, 
 beginning " 'Jin pol ba yine ncc f}b-fe, ^•f ha. cectii bo cleifi," " The Paul 
 that was elder than thou art, and was head over clergy." 
 
 8. On the pride and ostentation of the English, and the weakness and 
 dejection of the Irish, forty-four verses, beginning, " "^tn c;tfoc yo hu6 
 nctofnttt Y hr6 peile cciil," " This country that was so holy and so ge- 
 
 nerous." 
 
 9. Against some of the clergy who had gone to Mullingar to take the 
 oath of abjuration, forty-eight verses, beginning " bet peci^t aectg ly 
 piobcCifie," " Twelve men and a piper." 
 
 10. On the generosity of F'ather Paul M'Egan, sixteen verses, begin- 
 ning " ?[r) Ciiifinecti 60 hf.OT) ionti;<," " The priest who gave his coat." 
 
 11. On the clergy that were imprisoned for their religion in the Black- 
 dog, forty-eight verses, beginning " CaBdi;! mo Bednacc cc pSipei/i," " Bear 
 my blessing, oh paper." 
 
 12. On the vanity of the world, seventy-two verses, beginning " 6tio*- 
 !/• leiine ly ir;jteci;r^(Xib ceiUe," " Folly, simplicity, and Mant of sense." 
 
 13. On the diversity of tastes and opinions, thirty-six verses, begin- 
 ning " cd Crdc 'neij-uedcc ?l|-ail," " The Cuckoo listens to an ass." 
 
 14. Sixteen verses, in answer to Father Paul M'Egan, beginning " ?!)) 
 iHiQ\(X6 rdiv 60 prd^ctf," " The praise which I received from thee."
 
 ccxv 
 
 15. Oa the sea-fight between the English and French, and the ship- 
 wreck of the English Admiral, Sir Cloudesly Shovel, after the engage- 
 ment, seventy-two verses, beginning " bo bju-f moficbliu ido Slrttv-did." 
 
 16. One hundred and thirty-six verses, written during the author's 
 courtship with Una, or Winifred O'Brian, (to whom he was afterwards 
 married), inviting her to a walk to hear the chorus of the birds. This 
 poem begins " Viacpy^ri pam ccoiU lear," " I would go to the woods with 
 thee." 
 
 17. Twenty-four verses, written after the death of Una O'Brian, be- 
 ginning " Cbu5 me ^ec(;tc mo cleiS '-fmo 5f<a6," " I gave the love and affec- 
 tion of my heart." 
 
 18. On the death of Catherine Cruise, wife of Teige O'Naghten, and 
 mother to Father Peter O'Naghten, of the Society of Jesus, twenty 
 verses, beginning " CdiCftirxi ni Ceoi;<i|- a» oi^beai) buy ttille," " Catherine 
 Cruise, the young woman who was beautiful." 
 
 19. On the banishment of the clergy, forty-eight verses, beginnin<^ 
 " CDo 6\if\ 50 veu^a6, mo leun ly mo c/ic(6," " My deadly loss, my woe, my 
 affliction." 
 
 20. On the death of Mary, queen of James the Second, fifty-two 
 verses, beginning " ptxt ea^mc mo 6eoj\. bp^^ 5cioblc(ib pa B;t6ti," " The 
 grievous cause of my tears has left the Irish under affliction." 
 
 21. A song, consisting of three ranns, or stanzas, of eight lines each, 
 beginning " SUr) 5a mdt^tuHc, l^rj 60 caj^niarxicb,'' " Lasting health, full 
 of charity." 
 
 22. On the accession of King George the First, sixty-eight verses, be- 
 ginning " ^tr) pe<x6 na hCo/ipd pdlceit." 
 
 23. Thirty-six verses, addressed to Ireland, beginning " 006^ 60 ctjji 
 Y 60 cSio," " Great is your fatigue and your amercement." 
 
 24. Instructions to his nephew Aodh, or Hugh O'Neaghtan, twelve 
 verses, beginning " SiXo\lzean liiie gufi mi/te ^art cii;i6 1 an poic," " It is con. 
 sidered by us that drunkenness is madness without pleasure." 
 
 25. Epistle to a friend in Dublin, forty-four verses, beginning " COo 
 bectiiacc ledc a pSipef/i," " My blessing with thee, oh paper." 
 
 26. On the upstart race that had gotten possession of the estates and 
 properties of the ancient inhabitants of the country, one hundred and
 
 CCXVl 
 
 fiffy-six verses, beginning " '2li) c-»fp§i;i ■fem '^a "tCiUiu/i," « The old cooper 
 and the tailor." 
 
 27. Answer to father Paul Mac Egan, sixteen verses, beginning " ?[)i 
 beana.cz Tdic fto prd^tdy," " The salutation that I received from thee." 
 
 28. On the Duke of Berwick, forty verses, beginning " 0;t«tc buctbd net 
 gcac," " Victorious hand of the battles." 
 
 29. A poem in imitation of those attributed to Ossian, twelve hundred 
 and ninety-six verses, beginning " St,6 f^rjm yioy a. ph^d^tr^g," " Sit with 
 me, Oh Patrick." 
 
 30. Aingliota's address to Goll Mac Morna, twenty-eight verses, begin- 
 ning " 5'^^^'- rooi^^'^lttc ntx mbo;tb mbedjit:," " Triumphant Goll, of mighty 
 deeds." 
 
 31. Another address to Goll, by Aingliota, sixty-four verses, beginning 
 " Cicc cdygrt/i an cectrj, " Who wounds the head." 
 
 32. A poem, beginning " If cumeig liom imtertcr cirjgeci;^," " Grievous to 
 me, is the departure of the five." 
 
 33. A poem, beginning " baonaci?, Cj\}ol)acz, C;t6tbljc(," " Humanity, 
 Prudence, Devotion." 
 
 34. Forty-four verses, beginning " So 6ib ^Idince CObctgctib lc(i6i/i," 
 " Here's to the health of powerful Moggy." 
 
 35. A poem, beginning " Cu^tx gioUci r,a meiyge," " Thou servant of 
 drunkenness." 
 
 36. A poem, beginning " ?(») poiyeog bi^deac 50 cirjce," " The grateful 
 lark certainly." 
 
 37. On seeing his wife, Una or Winifred O'Brian, in a dream, after her 
 death, one hundred and eight verses, beginning " '^lua.^f a. bSij- z^ai 
 Ybei/t me leaz," " Come soon, oh death, and take me with you." 
 
 38. Aingliotta to loUan, " O lollain moift net ppect/tr." 
 
 39. Three hundred and forty-four verses, beginning " bo h\ luban- 
 Cj\ori) mrtc LobTjy," " There was Ludarcroinn M'Lobe." 
 
 40. Forty-eight verses, beginning " '21 luy-ind, mile mdUctcc ojiz," " Oh 
 Lucina, a thousand curses on you !" 
 
 41. The thanksgiving of the people of Tom M'Lobe, thirtj'' verses, 
 beginning " OTjbectcay leij- an mrtcdiri," " Thanks to the mother." 
 
 42. Ninety-six verses on the lamentable state of the ancient Irish,
 
 ccxvu 
 
 beginning " '?l raifle Cijiior) ^edjtc mo cum,'' " Oh nobles of Erin, love of 
 my heart." 
 
 43. A Fenian Tale in prose, written in the year 1717, beginning " C)o 
 h po)i cdilmc/iecl|-rtc," " Fionn of mighty valour was." 
 
 44. History of Edniond O'Clery, a fictitious story, written, it would 
 appear, for the purpose of turning info ridicule persons learning the 
 English language. This tale abounds with genuine humour. 
 
 Copy in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 This author also translated many of the Church Hymns, from the 
 Breviary, into Irish verse. 
 
 Copies of the poems from No. 8, to No. 28, inclusive, are in the library 
 of William Monck Mason, Esq. Copies of most of those, and of all the 
 rest, are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccxLvii. Thomas O'Clery, a poet of the county of Cavan, lived at 
 this time. We do not know but he may be the same as Rev. Father 
 Thomas O'Clery, of whom we gave some account under the year 1700, 
 He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. An elegy on the death of Aodh, or Hugh, son of John O'Reilly, 
 forty verses, beginning " bo c^jU di) Chahal) <t bltxi," " Cavan has lost her 
 blossom." 
 
 2. Twenty verses, on Rory M'Mahon, chief of Oirgialla, being routed 
 by an old woman of the name of O'Reilly, armed with a distaff. This 
 poem begins " Iti bd ;tdi!> /^rbftaig aig co^rjjeacc Cjtedc," " On a day that 
 Rory was in pursuit of prey." 
 
 Copies in possession of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1720. 
 
 cccxLvni. At this time flourished the Rev. Owen O'Keeffe, a native 
 of the county of Cork, who, before he was ordained a priest, presided 
 for some years at the Bardic assemblies held annually at Charleville, in 
 that county. He was author of the following poems, and some others, 
 to which we cannot now refer :
 
 CCXVUl 
 
 1. Fifty-six verses on the death of his son Arthur, who, like himself, 
 was in holy Orders. This elegy begins " 7li) zAr) nac ptticin) pedji," " When 
 1 do not see a man." 
 
 2. On a visit to a friend at Rathkeale, beginning C^tittUttim for) 50 Tiat 
 ChtxUA," " I proceed to Rathkeale," 
 
 Copies in the library of John M'Namara, Esq. 
 
 3. On the battle of Aughrim, beginning '* ^liji zzfied-f^anHS xx nCrtciJ/^i^n) 
 bo v-fol ei[>iyt," " On the destruction in Aughrim of Heber's race." 
 
 4. A poem, beginning " O^o Bjiotj, mo miUetiij, iD'aineiy, mo leui) 50 hucn,'* 
 *' My grief, my destruction, my sorrow, my lasting distress." 
 
 Copies of these two latter poems were in the library of the late Rev. 
 Paul O'Brien. 
 
 cccxLix. William O'Brien, Great-grand- father to the late Rev. 
 Paul O'Brien, Irish Professor in the College of Maynooth, lived at this 
 time. He was a native of the county of Clare, but having married the 
 sister of Betagh of Moynalty, in the county of Meath, he settled in that 
 county. He was author of the following poems : 
 
 1. On the going of his brothers-in-law, John and William Betagh, to 
 France, in the year 1720, beginning '* '2L Obirtbcaij an cyein \-f net r)6eigTT)ic 
 ^15 50 rr)6)t." 
 
 2. On the same subject, beginning " Ci7|iim la lein op.z Ci^te mealrdij." 
 
 3. On his wife, the daughter of Betagh, beginning " '2ln \ocziXfi ci;ie 
 tlra f 1, ttfl inpift Y «tile •fi)ua6" 
 
 4. On the death of his wife, beginning " Y ttgdm <t Bid ctfl ff ei;i hear\ bo 
 betfe pirjb ao ))5;iei)j. 
 
 cccL. James ban M'Namara, the near relation of the last-mentioned 
 writer, accompanied him from Munster, and settled with him in the county 
 of Meath. On the departure of their friends, the Betaghs, from Ireland, 
 M'Namara wrote two poems, of which we here give the first lines : — 
 
 1. **C;iecic mo cjioib^e pfoft-tl<tjj CiBi;!." 
 
 2. *' b'imtig dfi nuaifle, mo nrtii/t, zd^ bdcnci." 
 
 Copies of the poems of these two writers were in the library of Rev, 
 Paul O'Brien.
 
 CCXIX 
 
 A. D. 1721. 
 
 cccLi. JoHK, son of Philip O'Fearghaoile, or O'FARRELLvof Mullagh, 
 in the county of Cavan, lived at this time. He was author of a valuable 
 work called ^' Seancdy <xr) 6S bh^ieipne," or " History of the two Brefnys," 
 which his wife, in a fit of jealousy, committed to the flames ; part of it, 
 however, was saved, and is still extant. He also wrote some poems, of 
 which we here give the first lines : 
 
 1. On his wife burning his book, beginning " "PI leafedi/t nrt yeu6 feun- 
 
 2. On jealousy, " ^1l cobldri dm coj^-jftittn, b'eugmuy <X cei6 ein cunocli))." 
 
 3. Beginning " ^li ;tc(ib txbal a\ji jeug no fmeujt di;t b\d6 od o6pect|-." 
 
 4. Beginning " Ctt coip-blaoj cciy yiofi-bedy mac dile an g|iiao." 
 
 5. Begins " '^l jtig rjcn CjtrjTje, <xi) cunj yt)je bo Iccg-clrtojiab." 
 
 A. D. 1122. 
 
 cccLii. .John O'Neill lived at this period. He was a native of 
 TuUagh-O-Meath, near Carlingford, and author of some poems said 
 to possess much merit. I have been favoured by my friend. Doctor 
 O'Brien, with the first lines of three of them, which he could repeat 
 from memory : 
 
 1. " Cj\eb e 60 cuman ban fnoil." 
 
 2. " Ca yccoice yleibte Catai^i Im gdn rtoibjiedy ^^i) gciijte." 
 
 3. "^ICbuUcOs iCOhectc, c<Xb e do j/^rctimye o;^c." 
 
 A. D. 1125. 
 
 cccLiii. Brian duff, son of Turlofjh, son of John O'Rf.illv, a native 
 of Stradone, in the county of Cavan, flourished at this period. He was 
 author of the following productions :
 
 ccxx 
 
 1. A romantic tale, in verse and prose, called " CcJcc/id meic nd mfocom- 
 incliple, " Adventures of the son of Bad-counsel." 
 
 There is a copy of this Tale in the library of Trinity College, class E, 
 No. 4 ; another in the library of John M'Naraara> Esq.j and another ui 
 the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 2. A vision, ninety-six verses, beginning " bo b]6-f la. tii|i wdiftir) go 
 6ec(Cficlc 6eu/iccc," " I was one day, in the morning, severely afflicted." 
 
 A friend of the compiler's has furnished him with the first lines of two 
 other poems : 
 
 3. ^l ludc dif«5i6 co^tom "^llbecn dgdf atimoh net fvib." 
 
 4. 'SL cuj\(k^6 ncc /luaig, be]]\ bua6 gdc bdijie." 
 
 Copy of No. 2 is in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1126. 
 
 cccLiv. A poet and musician called Colla thac Shean, or Johnson, n 
 native of Mourne, in the county of Downe, flourished at this time. The 
 late Rev. Paul O'Brien, who was a living magazine of the poetry and 
 language of his country, furnished the compiler with the first lines of 
 six poems composed by this author;: 
 
 1. " "^lift -fhah an Qloibnecty zA no miajjftt." 
 
 2. " ClOo nrdi/ij-e nd cm d prdfidd gdf) ciom." 
 
 3. " ^Its 6ul 50 baile-.did-clidt 6dm." 
 
 4. " CDd tei6 cu d 6ed;icdi)ic fceime." 
 
 5. " 51 nbui) d coi«f Coille dig imedll «d C/idige." 
 
 He is also said .to be the author of the .song called " Moll dubk an 
 gleanna." 
 
 cccLV. Owen O'Raghallaigh, or O'Reilly, son of John wo'r O'Reilly, 
 of whom we gave some account under the year 1700, flourished also at 
 this period. He was an opulent man, much celebrated for his wit and 
 talents, and resided at Sliabh Luachra, ia the county of Kerry. He is
 
 CCXXl 
 
 said to have written many poenis^ copies of which are numerous all through 
 the province of Munster, though but few of them have come under our 
 observation. The following are all that we can at present refer to : 
 
 1. A reverie, or vision, beginning " '^^le na. 5)le ho coijdiftc aijl f^'S^j 
 u nud'gneciy." 
 
 2. Thirty-two verses, beginning " Cittc stjftc i-f ZTj^eipb }■{ pictngon) gdn 
 leigiof." 
 
 3. A translation from the Latin of Donat, Bishop of Fesuli's description 
 of Ireland, sixteen verses, beginning " M)\f ya fiein) rt cceio ftti idfitcCfi r<J." 
 
 Copies of the above poems are in the possession of the Assistant Se- 
 cretary, as also an imperfect copy of a description of a shipwreck, which 
 this author was witness to on the coast of Kerry. This poem has much 
 merit ; we give one rami as a specimen of the rest : 
 
 •' bob ecl5J)ctc imific net crjle ;ie ddofl-^ucticJjl, 
 " COeab ma. coirje /te fTyjxnedS rid gctoc guaij^Tieio, 
 *' Zaob nd loiJige '^ct p-rjjtion a^n zj\eur)-lu<if^a6, 
 *' ■2l?5 eijenS c-yjciiT) 50 g/tiiiiol ^tXt) bail pudycctilc," 
 
 The following translation may serve to give some faint idea of the beauty 
 of those lines : 
 
 " The roaring flood resistless force display'd, 
 
 " Each whirling blast the swelling surges sway'd ; 
 
 " The vessel burst ! alas! the crew she bore, 
 
 " Scream'd in the deep, and sunk to rise no more !" 
 
 cccLvi, At this period also flourished Philip O'Reilly, a poetic ge- 
 nius of the county of Cavan. He was author of a poem, consisting of 
 ninety-six verses, in praise of Miss Peggy Deane, a young lady of Galway. 
 This poem has a good deal of merit. It begins " Id d'a^chaf tX ccrttdi/i )?<t 
 gciilbe," " One day that I was in the city of Galway."
 
 CCXXll 
 
 A. D. 1130. 
 
 cccLvii. At this time lived Brian rabhagh O'Clery, a native of Moy- 
 bologue, in the county of Cavan, 
 
 Rev. Doctor O'Brien supplied the compiler with the first lines of two 
 poems composed by this author. 
 
 1. " Cc( 60 B^dige jectl gtjr) ttibbeil." 
 
 2. " 'Si corndftyrt de<in<a6 beiUc." 
 
 A. D. 1134. 
 
 cccLViii. Patrick Lindon, of the Fews, county Armagh, lived at this 
 period. He was author of several songs that are much admired. Like 
 most of the poets of his day, the principal part of his compositions depend 
 only on memory for their preservation. It is much to be regretted that 
 they are not committed to writing, whilst they are yet to be had. The 
 following are the first lines of so many songs of this bard's, which are 
 all that we can now recollect : — 
 
 1.. " COoibim pectybct on dmf o 50 hrtimyijt 6tt ccircditj dr) bS^-." 
 
 2. " J^1c( lei5 bo ^m le b<Xoi6." 
 
 3. " I^ldc Sic a. n6f-me<Xn^ <x gldc fib T^o]^ wc d Obcli;<6 drj d ceflri." 
 
 4. " In^ecCn bea.'f ma mbSn-ciclc ly aflne lond lige bprdcu." 
 
 5. "" Olpdbf a f iSinre a. bjiaige ly gleigle cjiui." 
 
 6. " Cfie -c-rjyle gdn cuYjyle le yici7ij-<t firjlt;." 
 
 A. D. 1136. 
 
 cccLix. Feardorcha O'Faurely, of Mullagh, county of Cavan, 
 flourished at this time. He was author of several poems and songs, of
 
 CCXXIU 
 
 Avhich we are now able to collect no more than the four, of which the' 
 following are the first lines : 
 
 1. " SirBail me C175 coige na poalct, iy ai) CDbibe 5C(n -Irt^." 
 
 2. " CSil 60 mo fnertftBuil ndc me bi6 mdft Cbed/iBall." 
 
 3. " Obib me la bea-f eiz^in tti;i fnalciib doiBin 'Jloncdg." 
 
 4. " Oei;t becCndcc rdim f loj- 50 bdile no. cc/iccoB." 
 
 A. D. 1738. 
 
 cccLx. ToRLOGH, or Terence O'Carolan, a celebrated poet and mu- 
 sician, died on Saturday, the 25th of March, in this year. Some accounts 
 of the life of this bard have been published, by different authors, but all 
 are erroneous, so far as relates to the place of his nativity, and some cir- 
 cumstances belonging to the early part of his life. The biographers of 
 O'Carolan say, " He was born in the village of Nobber, in the county of 
 " West Meath, on the lands of Carlanstown, which were wrested from 
 " his ancestors, by the family of the Nugents, on their arrival in this 
 
 " kingdom, in the reign of Henry H." " He must be deprived of 
 
 " sight at a very early period of his life, for he remembered no im- 
 " pression of colours." In these two short extracts there are nearly as 
 many falsehoods as lines ; and yet these errors have been repeated 
 in a History of " Irish Worthies" lately published in London. This 
 is inexcusable in an editor who had the means of obtaining better infor- 
 mation. It would be a deviation from the plan hitherto pursued in 
 this work, to give a circumstantial account of the life of any writer 
 mentioned in it, but as the name of O'Carolan is known all over Europe, 
 as a musician, it must be gratifying to his numerous admirers to 
 know the real place of his nativity, &c. This the writer of this work 
 is enabled to do, from his own knowledge of the spot on which the bard 
 was born, and from the communications of his friend, the late Rev. Paul 
 O'Brien, the great-grand-nephew of O'Carolan. 
 
 Torlogh O'Carolan, then, was not boru in Nobber, nor is Nobber on 
 the lands of Carlonstown ; nor is Carlonstown in the county of If'est- 
 meath ; neither did the Nugents ever wrest those lands from the ancestors
 
 CCXXIV 
 
 of O'Carolan ; »or was he deprived of sight so early in life as to have no 
 recollection of colours. Nobber is a small town in the county of East- 
 nieath, on the estate of Lord Gormanstown, and near nine miles from 
 Carlanstown, a village in the same county, on the estate of Sir Henry 
 Meredyth, two miles from Kells, apd distant at least ten or twelve miles 
 from the nearest part of the county of Westmeath. Having shewn where 
 our bard was not born, let us proceed to facts, and show where he really 
 was born. 
 
 ToRLOGH O'Carolan, the son of John O'Carolan, an industrious 
 farmer, was born in the year 1670, in the small village of Oaile «uctb, or 
 Newtown, in the parish of Kilmainham Wood, three miles and a half 
 from Nobber, and seven miles from Carlanstown. At a proper age he 
 was sent to school to Cruisetown, a village in his own neighbourhood, 
 and not in the county of Longford, as erroneously asserted by some of his 
 biographers. Here he formed an early acquaintance with Miss Bridget 
 Cruise, of the respectable family of that name, from whom the village 
 and the adjoining townland are called ; and here commenced that tender 
 attachment which he afterwards manifested to her in the first, and some 
 others of his poetical and musical compositions. On entering the fifteenth 
 year of his age he was seized by the small-pox, in which it was the will 
 of Providence that he should lose his sight. Hence it is evident that 
 he could not be ignorant of the difference in colours, and that he might 
 have formed tolerable ideas of beauty, which afterwards served him ia 
 his description of those persons that he celebrated in his verses. 
 
 The musical compositions of O'Carolan are numerous, and his poetic 
 pieces were not much less so. Of the first, no complete collection has been 
 yet published, and but few of the latter have been committed to writing. 
 Not above forty years ago, hundreds of persons were to be found in the 
 lower part of the county of Meath, and in other places, who could sing, 
 or repeat from memory, innumerable songs composed by O'Carolan ; 
 but that generation is gone, and the poetry of O'Carolan is forgotten. 
 The following imperfect catalogue gives the first lines of all his poems 
 that we have seen written, or can now recollect. 
 
 1. On Miss Bridget Cruise, beginning " "^l Oh\^\^Q\b heufc^'c }>( br^z mo 
 ijeujt^tt/' Oh well-taught Bridget, to you my verse belongs."
 
 ccxxv 
 
 2. On Bridget Cruise, " Z<L net certbct f^a.)i gd^dcl," *' There are a 
 hundred brave men." 
 
 3. On Cathaoir M'Cabe, beginning " J?ac 60 ceiUbe pein ojlc," " The 
 reward of your own art on you." 
 
 4. A song, beginning " 1y brOfltcl le ^ec(l, zd do cCtoB ^o 6'<Xo Cdldm," 
 " There is trouble for a while on this side of the earth," 
 
 5. On Grace Nugent, " l-f mmn liom zp.acz ai/t bkd od fine," " I wish to 
 treat on the blossom of whiteness." 
 
 6. On Mrs. Nugent, " Cftct zei6m pein ^ic(;< 50 h1c(ij!fnide <t}) ^edl fo," 
 " When 1 go to westward to Westmeath at this time." 
 
 7. Oil Con O'Neill, " go b/iudc loc nCdcttc tt glrttif roe <Jftei;i," " To 
 the verge of Lough Neagh as I wandered last night." 
 
 8. His receipt, " CDdf cirj no flrtj) 60 ttc^ilctiiJ tne," " If sickness or 
 health happen to me." 
 
 9. Epigram, " COo c;tectc <t bbici/tmi76 r, phloir)," " My sorrow, oh Dermod 
 O'Flinn." 
 
 10. On the supposed death of Cathaoir M'Cabe, " ^f c^irdg f\n m\fe, 
 rtgcty me <t txif jiyectc t3t niieig mo C-17I," " I am miserable, and in grief, 
 after my friend." 
 
 11. On Mr. O'Conor, of Belanagare, '' go tn<t6 flrtr) beo blictdndc." 
 
 12. On Mrs. O'Conor, of Belanagare, *' 1{ miar) liom cjittcc iXi) rcti/t-fe," 
 " I desire to treat at this time." 
 
 13. On the death of his wife, Mary Maguire, " iJidectcc n<t hei;ie(ir) »<t 
 gjteige 'ftxx J?6mtt," " The intellect of Erin, of Greece, and of Rome." 
 
 14. On O'Conor Faly, " Ua Corjcobcci/i mile ^-ItCr) ]e<Lz" " O'Conor, a 
 thousand healths to you." 
 
 15. On the marriage of Conor O'Reilly with the daughter of O'More, 
 beginning " Sub 1 pei;tin bea^ma dille," " There is a gift for thee. Oh good 
 and beauteous fair." 
 
 16. On Colonel Irvin, " I3(tc<l me ctijl crtlijic gttn fpS-f," " I will go 
 visit without delay." 
 
 17. On Mrs. Cole, *' 'If ■fdoytemrjl 'ydf -f<im i," " She is generous and 
 courteous." 
 
 18. On Miss Mac Neiil, "COo cudijic 50 bdile }S^<xn\il}'n" "My visit to 
 Bally scan Ian."
 
 CCXXVl 
 
 19. On Catherine Oulaghan, " Idleio ojit) ndc edbzjiom <L ^-lublttr) yi." 
 
 20. On himself, " ^h pprjl njo y-ttfodil 60 jriol Ctibtt," " There is not my 
 like of the race of Eve." 
 
 21. On O'Reilly of Oristown, " Zoi^ied^ mo ^eok<t ^tgclf jleuycd;! 
 )D0 comb^lcd Iiom." 
 
 22. On Philip M'Brady, " pailce cugctb <l7j mo 6^il," " You are 
 welcome to me." 
 
 23. On Mrs. French, " If mictn lectm \<ihiX}jiz <^^f^ 65 n)0<toi," " I wish to 
 speak on a young woman."' 
 
 24. On Mable Kelly, " Ce b'e tj bptjl ye a ngct/t 60," " Whoever he be 
 that is near thee." 
 
 The songs of Plearaca na Ruarcach and Tigherna Mkuigheo are also 
 ascribed to Cardan, but, we believe, improperly. 
 
 A. D. 1739. 
 
 cccLxi. Cathaoir M'Cabe, a native of the county of Cavan, and a 
 poet, the intimate friend and companion of O'Carolan, survived him for 
 some time. He is said to have written several poems and songs, of which 
 we know no more at present than the two following : 
 
 1. A reply to Torlogh O'Carolan, who had composed some ludicrous 
 verses on him, beginning " f-Wl 6 gailBe pectjt bd cdpi^ll 50 Oun )Dbd6;ictic," 
 " There is not a man worth two horses from Galway to Downpatrick." 
 
 2. On the death of his friend O'Carolan, in which he particularises the 
 year of his death. These few lines begin " T^iTjecty ynxtoiwe tt6 roea^ctf 
 nUfi cnff D^tpe." 
 
 Copies of these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 A. D. 1740. 
 
 cccLXii, Andreav M'Curtin, a wandering bard of the county of Clare, 
 lived at this time, and coi veiving himself neglected by the gentry of 
 the country, he composed a poetic address to Donu of Duagh, or Donu
 
 ccxxvu 
 
 of the Sand Pitts, an imaginary being supposed to preside over the 
 fairies of that part of the country. In this poem the bard begs that Donn 
 will take him into his service, as he is deserted by mortals; and in his 
 praising the hospitality of the Chief of the Fairies, he obliquely censures 
 the parsimony of the gentlemen of the country. It begins " beaorgdb 
 bomi) 6tjZ <i bboijj M bdiBce," " Deep salutations to thee, oh Donn of 
 the Sand-pits^, (literally, of the Kieves or Vatts)." 
 
 From the merits of this piece, we regret that we are not able to point 
 out where any more of the effusions of its author are now to be found. 
 
 Copy in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccLxiii. At this period also flourished the Right Rev. James Gal- 
 lagher, R. C. Bishop, first of Raphoe, and afterwards translated to 
 Kildare. He received a part of his education in Paris, but finished his 
 studies in Rome, where he was a member of the College de Propaganda 
 fide. In the year 1735 he published sixteen sermons in his native lan- 
 guage, which he reprinted at this time, with the addition of a seventeenth 
 sermon, " On the Joys of Heaven." These Sermons have gone through 
 eighteen editions ; the last of which was corrected, and prepared for 
 press, by the author of this work. 
 
 A. D. 1742. 
 
 eccLxiv. TeigeO'Neaghtan, or Norton, was a schoolmaster in Dublin, 
 and a good Irish scholar. We are indebted to him for the following 
 productions ; the most important of which is — 
 
 1. An Irish- English Dictionary, which he commenced on the .30th of 
 May, 1734, and finished in the year 1739. This boolv is now in the 
 library of Trinity College. 
 
 2. A collation of the Punic Speech in Plautus, with the Irish. This 
 tract, in the hand-writing of the author, is now in the library of 
 William Monck Mason, Esq. a Member of this Society. It is dated 
 12th Aii-'usi, 1742, many years before General Vallancey published his 
 
 h h
 
 ccxxvm 
 
 Collation of that Speech, which first procured for him the reputation of 
 au Irish scholar. 
 
 3. A poem, consisting of twenty-four verses, beginning " buBrti/ir 
 ctiioctt'iie cti5 d ;tctiS mttoir)," " Said a miser who had riches," on an old 
 miser who gave a hen to a boy to carry to his house, instead of which the 
 boy took it to his tomb. 
 
 4. Thirty-two verses, by way of prophecy, beginning " tHom cto f>1oblnrjc <( 
 n'ei/ii)i tin)," " Before the Christmas in noble Erin." 
 
 5. Forty-four verses, on Betty Meares, beginning " Co. be\fea,cb poiU- 
 ^igeafi pe gpein," " What beauty is illumined by the sun." 
 
 6. Seventy-six verses, on the great frost, which commenced on Saint 
 Stephen's day, 1739. This poem begins " QM bi bf\6r) /to m6j\ gar) ceiinToU," 
 " If o-rcat woe were without a shade," 
 
 7. A prayer, consisting of twenty-eight verses, beginning " Qi ph^bnT,c 
 Dccofnta {a 6/11516 beiftgil," " Oh holy Patrick, and white-toothed Bridget." 
 
 8. An elegy on the death of Anne Tipper, ninety-six verses, begin- 
 ning " Ocon ! ocot) ! ocoi) ! m'eagnctc !" " Alas ! alas ! alas ! my cause of 
 grief." 
 
 9. A visit to Conn Magee, a student in Trinity College, forty-eight 
 verses, beginning " Coii c;ioibe CPbdc-'Slobct itm," " Conn of my heart, 
 noble Magee." 
 
 10. On the drunken folly of Dominick O'Quigly, seventy-two verses, 
 beginning " Cbompdin Cfioid ct cT,b mo com," " My heart's companion, my 
 dear kinsman." 
 
 11. On the recovery of Conn Magee from a fever, seventy-six verses, 
 beginning " Q')-r'f^a.\l a bhe ! mufgal me !" " Awake, oh God ! awake 
 me." 
 
 12. On the word Alleltija, thirty-two verses, beginning " Sorj 'Stille- 
 liugrtibab iy ttoiBnectj-," " In Alleluja is joy." 
 
 13. On the deatli of Conn Magee, on the 9th of October, 1741, sixty- 
 four verses, beginning " Ui Cibei)) pfi cid bprjl Cojj," " Son of Eiden fair, 
 where is Conn ?" 
 
 14. Sorrows of Banbha (Ireland), one hundred and twenty-four verses, 
 beginning " QO\f\ OcOiijtt tX» heart boc^," " [ am Banbha, the distressed 
 female."
 
 CCXXIX 
 
 15. On the death of Esther Brazil, wife of George Ratigan, two hun- 
 dred and eight verses, beginning " 6dy Ciyrift v\ hhi\eafd\l BtCin," " The 
 death of fair Esther, daughter of O'Breasail." 
 
 16. Twenty-eight verses against lust, beginning " 6rtoy <oi b^-qf gdn 
 gedj) gan 5fiab," " Lechery is folly, without delight, without love." 
 
 17. On the pride of the Irish nobility, two hundred and thirty-six 
 verses, beginning " "^e^lcmf, gleigil, ixnr,n, 65," " White-skinned, fair, 
 beautiful, young." 
 
 18. On the death of Cardinal Fleury, eighty-four verses, beginning 
 (' CDiarj gcic mojtbdcr cldoi&eai) Cfto," " Death destroys every desire of 
 greatness." 
 
 19. On the wickedness of the tongue, fifty-six verses, beginning 
 " 516 ball Sectg an ze(Xf)^a zd," " Though the tongue be a small member." 
 
 20. In praise of the tongue, fifty-six verses, beginning " 3lr) beul 
 tecJjittif hn^aijifX be," " The mouth that delivers the words of God." 
 
 21. Seventy-two verses in praise of a young woman of the name of 
 O'Moore, beginning " f-lgdidilm Idoijij- 17 CObojtbd." 
 
 22. On the return of Francis O'SuUivan from London to Dublin, after 
 taking his degree of Doctor of the Canon Law, thirty-six verses, begin- 
 ning " '21 leat);tc(ib noc leijcedji lirj," " In the books that are read by us." 
 
 23. On seeing an Englishman hanging on a tree, '' Tidi 60 to^uXb o;iu 
 a. cfioiTj," " Increase to thy fruit, oh tree." 
 
 24. A poem, beginning "COoc mflibue eijtge a. ct;6," " In the dawn of 
 the morning arise, my love." 
 
 25. Sixteen verses, made extempore whilst waiting for his father, in 
 company with Catherine Cruise, to whom he was going to be married, 
 beginning " 5<^B mo bfoi) d. fnic be," " Be my protection, oh Son of 
 God." 
 
 Copies of the poems from No. 2 to No. 22, both included, are in the 
 library of William Monck Mason, Esq. in the hand-writing of the author. 
 Copies of the three last-mentioned poems, and most of the others, are 
 in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 cccLxv. Cotemporary with the last-mentioned writer, was the Rev. 
 Andrew Donlevv, Superior of the Irish Community at Paris, who, in the 
 year 1742, published, in that city, a Catechism in the Irish and English 
 languages.
 
 ccxxx 
 
 A. D. 1150. 
 
 cccLxvi. At this time lived, far advanced in years, Hugh M'Curtiv, 
 a native of the county of Clare, a Poet, Historian, Grammarian, and 
 Lexicographer. We can at present give no larger account of this 
 author's Irish works than is contained in the following list : 
 
 1. An elegy on the death of Donogh O'Loghlin, of Burren, in the 
 county of Clare, seventy-two verses, beginning " 61^5 biio))cc(<ict ij- 6ul 
 6aoi)ie," " The death of Donogh is the way of men." This was written 
 in 1714. 
 
 2. On the death of Lewis O'Brien, who died in France, in the year 
 1715, sixty verses, beginning " 1om6ti ecCj-bci6 at/i Ci/iin," " Much is the 
 loss to Erin." 
 
 3. On the death of the Rev. Edmond O'Byrne, addressed to Teige 
 O'Neaghtan, sixty-four verses, beginning " 'Jt cbcddg t, f>leacz<im 'fd 
 canT,b r)cc beigyi," " Oh Teige O'Neaghtan, oh friend of the learned." 
 
 4. On the ship of O'Loghlin, of Burren, twenty verses, beginning 
 " Oertiictij dr) bSjtc Slaiprjce bealcumtcJ," " Bless the nice-formed, well- 
 fastened bark." 
 
 Copies of these poems are in the collection of the Assistant Secretary. 
 
 5. An English-Irish Dictionary and Grammar, in quarto, printed at 
 Paris, in 1732. The Grammar had been published some years before, 
 in duodecimo. By a poem, written by M'Curtin, and prefixed to the 
 Dictionary, it would appear that that work was compiled by the Rey. 
 Conor O'Begley, although the Title-page says it was the joint produc- 
 tion of O'Begley and M'Curtin. This work has now become scarce* 
 but there is a copy in the library of Trinity College, and other copies in 
 possession of different members of this Society. 
 
 cccLxvii. At this time flourished William buidhe O'Kiaran, of Oris- 
 town, county of IMeath. He was author of the following poems, and 
 others to which we cannot now refer : 
 
 1. On O'Reilly, of Bade Othra, or Oristown, beginning " ^lig J?ct5- 
 ciUclc l)bctile Oin<i\^."
 
 CCXXXl 
 
 2. On his wife, who, it appears by the poem, was continually railing 
 at him, beo^inning " ^■f OBaifi Shfle be\i aig c(f>c(ficc(i6 a coibce o^iam." 
 
 3. A poem, beginning " Qi ZzMlzean n<x loc." 
 
 cccLXviii. In this year were published proposals for printing an English, 
 Irish, and Latin Dictionary, by a Mr. Crab, a school-master, of Ringsend, 
 near Dublin. This book was never printed, but found its way into the 
 library of (he late General Vallancey, and at the sale of that gentleman's 
 books, after Iiis decease, was purchased for Doctor Adam Clarke, at the 
 price of forty guineas. 
 
 With this author we shall end this account of the writers of our 
 country who have written in their native language. For, although several 
 versifiers have appeared in later times, whose productions possess a 
 considerable degree of merit, they are not to be compared to those of 
 their predecessors, nor do they tend to elucidate the History, Manners, 
 or Customs of ancient Ireland, and therefore do not come within the 
 views of our Society. 
 
 Of this latter description of the Poets and Writers of Ireland, we 
 cannot, however, avoid mentioning the names of the few following : 
 
 Denis M'Namara, a school-master, of the county of Waterford, who, 
 about the year 1755, set off for the Newfoundland fishery, to better his 
 fortune by labouring work, but being driven back, on the next day, by 
 some adverse cause, returned to his old trade of teaching. On his return 
 a Mr. Power, one of his patrons, humourously insisted on an account of 
 his voyage. M'Namara complied, and wrote a mock ^Eneid, in which 
 there are some lines by no means inferior to any of Virgil's. The shout 
 of Charon, as described by the Irish bard, thus : 
 
 " bo lei5 ye gdi;! 6f ^jib ly beicedc, 
 
 " le prelim a gottX bo Cfticeabctfi net ypedfitct, 
 
 *' bo cy<tl£t6 ctn ci\r,y)e e 'y cr;;! 1/:)tiO)j ^em Hf." 
 
 is, perhaps, superior to the Cyclops' roar of the Mantuan poet. 
 
 Denis Mahony, a lyric poet and satyrist, who lived in the city of 
 Cork, about 1755.
 
 ccxxxu 
 
 Rev. John O'Brian, cotemporary with O'Mahony, a lyric poet, who 
 wrote against O'Mahony. 
 
 John M'Donald, better known by the name of Shane Cldragh, a good 
 poet, who presided at the Munster Bardic Session, held at Charleville, in 
 the county of Corke, in 1755. 
 
 William O'Brian, of Ros-na-Riogh, county Meath, who wrote some 
 very excellent songs, lived about 1760. 
 
 John Murphy, a distinguished Munster poet, who lived about the 
 same period. 
 
 Right Rev. Doctor John O'Brian, R. C. Bishop of Cloyne, author of 
 an Irish-English Dictionary, printed at Paris in 1768. 
 
 Michael Gumming, author of the " Adventures of Torlogh, son of 
 Storn," a beautiful composition, written in elegant language, and in 
 which the author shews himself a man well skilled in Universal History, 
 Geography, &c. 
 
 Merriman, author of the humorous and witty, though inde- 
 cent poem of " Ciij\z ^i) meo6c(ir) oidce," or " The Midnight Court." 
 
 Art M'Covev, of the Fews, county Armagh, author of some poems 
 and songs. He was living in 1774. 
 
 Cotemporary with M'Covey was M'Auuffe, a blacksmith, 
 
 near Glanmire, county Corke, author of some poems, in one of which 
 he describes the river Funshan in a storm, where his " glmn gotuc IctibTjt 
 a gcditiom m bzori," is not inferior to Homer's description of the rolling 
 waves, in the 4th Book of the Iliad. 
 
 John Toomev, a Munster poet, who lived about 1790. 
 
 Patrick O'Brian, of New Grange, near Slane, county of Meath, 
 lived in 1790; was author of several good songs, &c. 
 
 To these might be added the names of Pierce Fitzgerald, Donald 
 O'Brien, Timothy O'Sullivan, and several others, whose compositions 
 display, in smoothly- flowing verses, much fancy and poetic talent.
 
 CCXXXIU 
 
 In addition to the works we have now described, whose authors we 
 know, there are great quantities of other works, still extant, whose 
 authors are unknown or forgotten ; they consist of Laws, Annals, Chro- 
 nicles, Poetry, Divinity, Astronomy, Medicine, and other branches of 
 Literature, and tend to exhibit the skill of the ancient Irish in the Arts 
 and Sciences, and to elucidate the History and Antiquities of our country. 
 A description and account of those documents, it is intended, shall 
 occupy some future N lumber of the Transactions of the Iberno-Celtic 
 Society. 
 
 END OF PART I. 
 
 A. O'NEIL, Printer, Chincery-Lane, Dublin.
 
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