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 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS.
 
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 OCAL pEGENDS. 
 
 BY 
 
 LAGENIENSIS. 
 
 JAMES DUFFY AND CO., Ltd., 
 15 Wellington Quay. 
 
 1896.
 
 Edmund Burke & Co., 
 
 6l & 62 GREAT STRAND STREET, DUBLIN.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The collecting and preservation of Folk-lore Tales have 
 engaged the attention and interest of many national 
 writers, especially during the present century. Such 
 compositions have been presented in all known languages, 
 while they have an undoubted ethnological value in 
 historical and romantic literature. Fantastical or visionary 
 though the topics may appear to be, still their record is 
 pleasing to the imagination, and even inviting to philo- 
 sophic reflection. Let not our readers suppose that 
 fables are solely based on idealism. Subjectively to our 
 ancestors, several were realistic ; while objectively, their 
 themes are frequently traced from, if not found within, the 
 domain of fact. This is more especially true of many 
 Irish Local Legends. Their original forms have under- 
 gone various changes during the lapse of time. Popular 
 and oral narrative often becomes an alembic of trans- 
 mission, which serves to draw forth their spirit and 
 essence, while flavoured or coloured with fantasy and 
 invention, to supply the loss of historic or traditional 
 incidents. 
 
 However, the term Legend has an application to 
 narratives and relations, not even remotely bordering on 
 romance ; and therefore, in connection with the subject 
 matter of the present little work are introduced themes 
 only intended to revive some reminiscences of customs 
 and incidents, that are fast fading from a knowledge of 
 the present generation. It seems to the writer, that 
 many a trivial recollection of past times, if noted and 
 transmitted by conteiO£^le2X51Q6l€I| of greater
 
 interest and value as illustrations of manners and usages 
 now unknown, than are the facts of more importance 
 related by many chroniclers, and thus rendered notorious 
 for all time. Entertaining such a view, some anecdotes 
 and descriptions are here introduced, that may serve to 
 amuse if not instruct several of our readers. 
 
 The following "Irish Local Legends" were received, 
 mostly from accidental and familiar intercourse with the 
 peasantry, and set down in substance at various times, 
 while visiting different parts of Ireland. Sometimes they 
 were fashioned at a way-side inn, in a memoraiida book, 
 and sometimes on an Irish hill-side, while fresh in the 
 writer's recollection. They represent, indeed, but a small 
 part of many such national romances, now hardly re- 
 membered ; for the author had not in view the object of 
 becoming a professed gleaner, and it amused an occasional 
 disengaged hour to shape them into a form, not always 
 according — it must be acknowledged — with the stories as 
 at first related to him. They have for the most part 
 appeared already in successive numbers of The Irish 
 Builder^ and with some inconsiderable changes they are 
 here collected and re-issued. 
 
 When the " Wizard of the North" deemed it desirable 
 to introduce Mottoes for the various chapters of his 
 inimitable Waverley Novels, he found a ready resource in 
 composing a few poetical lines, to which he appended the 
 words, "Old Play," "Old Ballad," or some other equally 
 enigmatical reference. This appears to have been one of 
 the humorous caprices, which often seize on a man of 
 genius, and it was a device which saved him many an 
 hour of tedious library search. Finding the range of 
 English and Classical literature sufficiently copious and 
 accessible, as also sufficiently appropriate, for selection ; 
 the following Legends are severally headed with quota- 
 tions from the works of renowned writers, who stand
 
 PREFACE. VU 
 
 sponsors for their own genuine compositions. The 
 Mottoes have been culled as flowers to cover those plain, 
 unvarnished sketches and descriptions, that are veiled 
 and nestle beneath the adornment ; so that, like darker 
 shadows of the clouds, our homely tales may be mantled 
 in some measure with the borrowed radiance of a silver 
 lining. 
 
 Those pleasant days are now past and gone, when a 
 few weeks of vacation could be snatched from other duties 
 and occupations, to spend them in a selected locality, and 
 to enjoy, besides the hospitality of many a kind friend, 
 that accommodation supplied in a hostelry of some con- 
 siderable Irish town. There a posting establishment 
 was always readily available, to furnish a cab or outside 
 car for reaching rather distant places almost unknown to 
 ordinary tourists, and which, nevertheless, had a scenic or 
 historic interest, within their circuit, specially appreciated 
 by the well informed antiquary as also delightful to the 
 lover of rural and homely landscapes. Greater still was 
 the desire of describing or sketching on the spot some 
 mouldering ruin, or the outlines of some traditional site, 
 neglected alike by artist and writer ; yet, having a 
 record in olden chronicles, and with difficulty traceable, 
 or to be identified, owing to a lost or altered nomen- 
 clature. But, above all, when a pedestrian excursion 
 was alone practicable and at the same time desirable for 
 exhilaration and exercise, the greatest enjoyment was 
 experienced to ascend the higher hills and gaze with 
 rapture over the level, diversified plains, or to track the 
 windings of lovely glens and valleys, there to search for 
 particular objects of exploration, while accompanied by 
 some intelligent peasant. He had only the Local Legends 
 to communicate, but he was invariably obliging, and 
 anxious enough to repeat those fire-side narratives of his 
 fathers that had been preserved to his time.
 
 Like our monuments that have survived the wreck of 
 ages, and the still more destructive ravages of man, 
 yearly crumbling to decay, and seldom engaging the 
 aid of a competent restorer to save them from utter 
 annihilation, are the traditional stories of Ireland. In a 
 similar manner, the grand heroic songs, the lively dance 
 tunes, and the tender, plaintive airs, that cliarm the 
 ravished ears and elevate the souls of persons possessing 
 the most refined musical genius, and even of our peasant 
 circles, still remain uncollected and unpublished ; while 
 deteriorated taste has usurped the operatic stage, filled 
 the concert programme, and countenanced the vanity of 
 too many modern composers, who produce intricate 
 scores, difficult of execution, but devoid of melody, 
 sentiment or inspiration for all true vocalists and admirers 
 of old lyric songs. Would that some systematic and 
 effective efforts should be made, to rescue from oblivion 
 such prized national memorials, and to preserve them as 
 pearls of great price. An earnest, well-directed endea- 
 vour of the sort ought richly reward the patriotic feeling 
 and cultured intelligence of societies or individuals, 
 capable of appreciating their varied extent and inherent 
 beauty as compositions. The harvest is still great, but 
 the labourers unhappily are few, in the luxuriant fields of 
 Irish romantic literature ; nor should a moment be lost, 
 while those waifs yet survive, in gathering up our derelict 
 fragments ere they entirely perish. 
 
 December, 1896.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 No. FACE 
 
 I. The Rival Professors. 
 
 Legend of Howth, County of Dublin . i 
 
 II. The Cobban Saor and his Critics. 
 Legend of Ardmore, County of Water- 
 ford . . . . .7 
 
 III. The Baboon's Rescue. 
 
 Legend of Woodstock Castle, County 
 
 of Kildare . . . .10 
 
 IV. Romantic Birth of St. Fursey. 
 
 Legend of Inchiquin or Inisquin, 
 County of Galway . . • ij 
 
 V. The Garran Bavvn. 
 
 Legend of Moghia, near Lismore, 
 Queen's County . . • . 22 
 
 VI. Conla the Artist and the Dead 
 Bones. 
 Legend of Dun-Cruithne, Innishowen, 
 County of Donegal . . -23 
 
 Vli. The Tyrant Chieftainess and her 
 Punishment. 
 Legend of Lios Na Eiblin Oge O Coille 
 Mor, County Cork . . .24 
 
 VIII. The Water Monster. 
 
 Legend of the River Lagan, County 
 Down . . . .26
 
 : CONTENTS. 
 
 No. PAGE 
 
 IX. Naomh Greoihir, or St. Gregory of 
 THE Golden Mouth. 
 Legend of Inishmaan, Aran Islands, 
 County of Galway . . .27 
 
 X. The Black Man's Apparition. 
 
 Legend of Mundrehid, Queen's County 29 
 
 XL The Sea-Syren's Revenge. 
 
 Legend of the River Delvin, County of 
 Meath . . . -31 
 
 XII. Contests of the Clans. 
 
 Legend of Mullaghmast, County of 
 Kildare . . . -33 
 
 XIII. The Captive Piper. 
 
 Legend of Knockaney, County of 
 Limerick . . . '39 
 
 XIV. The Peistha Discomfited. 
 
 Legend of Drumsna, County of 
 Monaghan . . . -44 
 
 XV. The Leinster Tribute. 
 
 Legend of Tara, County of Meath . 46 
 
 XVI. F'in-mac-Cool's Stone-throw. 
 
 Legend of the Clough-Mor, County of 
 Down . . . -SI 
 
 XVII. The Death-Coach. 
 
 Legend of Timogue, Queen's County . 53 
 
 XVIII. The Blessed Trouts. 
 
 Legend of the Three Wells, County of 
 Wicklow . . . .56 
 
 XIX. Mistaken Identity. 
 
 Legend of Sandymount, County of 
 Dublin . . . -57
 
 CONTENTS. XI 
 
 No. PAGE 
 
 XX. The Druid's Betrayal. 
 
 Legend of the River Bann, County of 
 Londonderry . . .64 
 
 XXL The Cobban Saer's Ingenuity. 
 
 Legend of St. Mullins, County of 
 Carlow . . . .68 
 
 XXIL The Peistha of Saint's Island. 
 
 Legend of Lough Derg, County of 
 Donegal . . . -71 
 
 XXIII. The Witch Transformed. 
 
 Legend of Cullenagh, Queen's County 74 
 
 XXIV. The Fool's Fantasies. 
 
 Legend of Cloonfush, County of 
 Galway . . . -83 
 
 XXV. TiPPERARY Tactics. 
 
 Legends of Upper and Lower Ormond, 
 County of Tipperary . . 89 
 
 XXVI. The Battle of the Cats. 
 
 Legend of Irishtown, County of 
 Dublin .... 100 
 
 XXVII. Humours and Humorists. 
 
 Legends of Ballyroan, Queen's County 104 
 
 XXVIII. The Witch's Fate. 
 
 Legend of Antrim, County of Antrim . 119 
 
 XXIX. The Confederate Peddlers. 
 
 Legend of Dingle, County of Kerry . 123 
 
 XXX. The Storm Spectre. 
 
 Legend of the Mullet, County of Mayo 142
 
 ^(\$^ "^ml %m^^^^ 
 
 No. I. 
 ^fit lilibal professors. 
 
 LEGEND OF HOWTII, COUNTY OF DUBLIN. 
 
 " Doubtless the pleasure is as great 
 Of being cheated, as to cheat ; 
 As lookers-on feel most delight. 
 That least perceive a juggler's sleight, 
 And still the less they understand 
 The more th' admire his sleight of hand."' 
 
 — Samuel Butler's Hudibras, part ii., canto iii. 
 
 Who among the residents of the Irish capital can be 
 unacquainted with the numerous attractions adorning the 
 Hill of Howth ? With ready means of access to holiday- 
 makers, we have now become familiar with its picturesque 
 old town, its ecclesiastical ruins, its modern villas, its castle 
 and demesne, its heath-covered heights, its sea-cliffs, its 
 surrounding terrace-road, its various interesting highways 
 and by-paths, with the charming views of land and water 
 scenes, stretching out in every direction. Above all, what 
 can compare in loveliness with the shore-lines of Dublin 
 Bay, the city at the Liffey's mouth, and the back-ground of 
 mountains swelling away in the distance ? Many years ago 
 when the tide of fashion had not set in so much, and when 
 fewer fine mansions had been erected therein, it was our 
 delight to visit Howth more frequently than of late, to 
 have an invigorating walk over the heather, and to spend a 
 social evening in pleasing converse with a friend. The 
 herring-fishing season was especially an animated one for 
 the colony of seamen that chiefly tenanted the village, and, 
 when the little vessels were not out at sea, the fishermen 
 were to be found in groups around the harbour, or taking 
 observations from the high wall that ran along the brow of 
 the Hill.
 
 2 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 On an occasion of this sort, when the late Rev. John 
 Francis Shearman— so greatly distinguished for his profi- 
 ciency in Irish history and antiquities — was the Catholic 
 curate of Howth, we had a ramble together through that 
 irregularly built and situated town. My friend, as well 
 known, was a special lover of folk-lore, and a gleaner of 
 traditions from the narratives of his people ; he knew their 
 habits, customs and peculiarities very intimately, and often 
 took care to elicit that store of information he desired to 
 gather from them by familiar conversation. He then 
 wished to show his visitor the substantial walls of the 
 former college still remaining, and yet supporting the roofs 
 of some tenement houses in one of the lanes opening on the 
 lower street, not far removed from the interesting Abbey 
 Church ruins within the enclosed graveyard. 
 
 As we ascended the steep road leading from the railway- 
 station up the chief street, a gang of sailors dressed in 
 their peculiar costume had already congregated at the sea- 
 wall. Some were lounging and gazing over it ; others 
 were detached standing and engaged in conversation ; 
 while others again were in walking motion and in pairs — 
 one of the party spinning a yarn, while his companion was 
 evidently an interested listener. Among the latter class, it 
 was very observable what force of habit had formed into 
 the instinct of a slouched gait, a shrug of the shoulders, and 
 a short turn round at the end of every ten or twelve paces, 
 the usual length of the decks on their fishing-smacks. As 
 we approached, they touched their caps by way of salute. 
 Stopping for some time to inquire about the state and 
 prospect of the fisheries, we found the men were waiting 
 for the ebb-tide to go on board their respective vessels. 
 After a friendly chat, addressing a fine hardy-looking fellow 
 named Tom Breen, Father Shearman asked if, while 
 waiting, he would have any objection to come along with 
 us to the top of the street, so that he might show us the 
 college, and tell us all he had heard about it. The 
 fisherman expressed his great readiness to do so, and 
 accordingly, taking leave of the others, we started onwards. 
 Having had a full examination of the old buildings both 
 within and without, well knowing Tom's powers of narra- 
 tive for local traditions, and especially with regard to the 
 still surviving fame of the college, the local curate asked 
 him to repeat for us a story, which had not been heard for 
 the first time. On every available occasion, Tom Breen
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 3 
 
 was obliging and ready to impart his information when 
 required, and, therefore, he willingly complied with the 
 request. We remained attentive listeners, and he pro- 
 ceeded with the college story, somewhat in the order and 
 form we shall here endeavour to reproduce. 
 
 *' Well ye see it was a long time ago, since the monks 
 lived in these ould anshent walls, and since their college 
 was in the most flourishin' state, so that all the young 
 gintlemin from every part of Ireland, England, and Scot- 
 land, came to study here. And soon the kerecther it had 
 for high larnin' spread to France and all the other coun- 
 thries in Europe. And by all accounts, it turned out fine 
 shcolars, long afore Maynooth or Thrinity College was in 
 bein'. Every where else the monks and schoolmasthers 
 were doin' their very best to keep up their schools to 
 compare widh Howth College, but none of them could 
 hould a candle to it. 
 
 " Now there was a fine univarsity in Paris at the same 
 time, and the professors there began to fear that their 
 young stugents would lave them and go over to finish their 
 coorses in Howth. Soon they grew jealous of the Father 
 Abbot and the monks that were here, and the Paris 
 Shuperior and his clargy considhered what was best to be 
 done, to save the univarsity from complete desartion of 
 their young min. 'Wouldn't it be well,' siz the Father 
 Shuperior, ' to sind over the best and most ontilligent of 
 our gintlemin, that tache Greek and Latin here, to visit 
 that out-of-the-way place called Howth, and to find out 
 some more correct information than we now have about the 
 monks' larnin'. There's an ould sayin', siz he, that cows 
 in Connaught have long horns, and maybe afther all, they're 
 not such great shakes as they purtind to be, and maybe it's 
 only braggin' and boastin' of their knowledge they are, as 
 so many fellows are doin' every day, and not a bit the 
 betther on that account.' ' Troth and for my part,' siz 
 another of the professors, * I don't think the Univarsity of 
 Paris can be sunk so low, as that a sprioshaian of a 
 monasthery like Howth could turn out sich cliver min, or 
 that we hav'n't here their aiquils in all the langiges and 
 sciences.' 'Aye,' and siz another, ' begorra, I'll hould a 
 hundher pounds to five, that if we challenge them to meet 
 an aiquil number of huz afore their own shcolars on the 
 Hill of Howth, that we'll sack thim in Greek or Latin, or 
 any other langidge than Irish, which is their own native
 
 4 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 tongue.' No sooner said nor done ; half-a-dozen professors 
 at once volunteered to dhraw up a challenge, and whin it 
 was signed widh their names, it was put in the Frinch post 
 ofifice, and the letther said they were comin' afther it them- 
 selves, in a month's time. To be shure, the ship soon 
 carried the letther to Dublin, and it kem in due course widh 
 other parcels to the Father Abbot in Howth. 
 
 " I need hardly tell ye, whin the Riverend Father opened 
 the letther, and read its contints, he thrimbled all over like 
 an aspin-lafe, and then got into a brown study. Howsome- 
 diver, he thought it best to call the community together, 
 and consult them as to what they had best do about the 
 challenge. Whin they met, 'Now,' siz the Abbot, ' brothers, 
 we're put in a terrible quandary,' siz he, 'for if we're cowed 
 by the challenge, and don't accept it, we'll lose all our 
 credit, not only in Ireland, but in England and Scotland, 
 and if we do accept it, and are beaten in a fair stand-up 
 fight with the Frinchmin, why our stugents will all lave huz 
 and go off to Paris for their edication, and then we'll have 
 to close our fine college in Howth.' Now the youngest 
 of the masthers there, called Father Teague, was the first 
 to offer his opinion ; but his heart was shtronger than his 
 wake judgment, and he thought that neither himself nor 
 any of his brothers should show the white feather, as they 
 must be more than a match for the Frinch professors. 
 ' Well, Father Teague,' siz Father Pathrick, a vinerable and 
 larned vice-president of the college, ' it's all very well to 
 talk up bowld whin the inimy is far away, but whin you 
 come to the scratch, maybe you wouldn't be so shure of 
 winnin' the battle, and for my part, although I have been 
 tachin' Greek and Latin double the linth of time since you 
 were ordained, I can tell ye, those Frinch professors must 
 be very smart chaps to be set over the Univarsity of Paris. 
 Beat us to bruss they would, as shure as a gun. But I tell 
 you what we can do, and I think we'll gain the day over 
 thim. Now that we know whin they are comin' to Howth, 
 let all the masthers in the college turn out, scatther them- 
 selves along the road-sides betuxt this and Dublin, and 
 dhress themselves up in the most tatthered clothes we can 
 find, with shtraw suggauns tied about their middles, ould 
 caubeens on their heads, and coarse brogues on their feet. 
 Besides, let thim borry all the shovels and shcrapers they 
 can get, to clane the road. Thin, whin word is given that 
 the Frinch ship has got into Dublin Harbour, let all our
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 5 
 
 tachers begin to shcrape the roads as hard as they can, and 
 whin the six Frinch professors come up, let aich monk bid 
 them the time o' day in Latin, and thin ingage thim in 
 conversation usin' only the same langidge. Thin whin axed 
 by the Frinch their names and places of livin', let thim all 
 say they are labourers belongin' to Howth Monasthry, 
 and that they got their edication in the College.' Father 
 Pathrick's advice was taken, and this is what happened : 
 
 " At the ind of the month, the six Frinch professors had 
 larned a little Irish, and shure enough they set out and 
 sailed over to Dublin, dhressed in grand style. Whin they 
 landed there, they saw a poor man at the quay wall, and 
 politely inquired if he could direct thim on the road to 
 Howth. Now he was one of the lay- brothers of the 
 monasthry looking out for thim, and in disguise ; and like 
 himself, he had another confedherate there, who was to 
 play his thricks on the thravellers. ' Begorra, gintlemin, 
 yees are welcome to ould Ireland,' siz the first, * and we 
 always like to see Frinchmin comin' over among huz as 
 towrists, and my frind here will show yees the road to 
 Howth with great pleasure. But first of all, ye'll take a 
 little refreshment and a glass of sperrits, to warm yees up 
 after the say- voyage.' They did so, and thanked him 
 kindly, and said on partin' they liked the Irish wine betther 
 nor what grew in their own counthry, although the flavour 
 was a little sthronger. 
 
 "Their guide to Howth with the head-professor moved 
 a little in advance of the rest ; but whin he came up to the 
 first of the road-shcrapers, he winked, and the labourer 
 restin' on his shcraper took off his caubeen. Now this was 
 Father Teague, and although he thought he was first class 
 at the Latin, the sorra haporth too much of it he knew, with 
 all his consate, only he was wondherfully good for a 
 labourin' man. The head-professor returned his salute in 
 the same langidge, and thin he was curious to know how a 
 spalpeen like that could have so much larnin'. 'Whethen,' 
 siz the road-shcraper, ' whin I was z.gorsoori, my father and 
 mother sint me a few quarthers to the monks' college in 
 Howth there beant, and whatever little I know I larnt from 
 the masthers.' ' And no masther of them all can spake it 
 betther, I am sure,' siz the head -professor. And so they 
 wint on to the next road-shcraper, about a quarther of a 
 mile, and there too the guide gev a wink as he approached. 
 The second labourer raised his ould hat as politely as any
 
 6 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 Frinchman could do it, and agin called out in Latin, 
 ' Good day, gintlemin, God speed ye.' No less surprised 
 than afore, the Frinchmin stopped to spake to him, and 
 they were towld a like story about the schoolin' he got for 
 a few quarthers in Howth College. He was even a betther 
 spaker of Latin than the other, and biddin' him good-bye, 
 they thravelled farther on, wondherin'at the great edication 
 given to the poor in Ireland. Well, to make a long story 
 short, the Frinch professors walked along, and at every 
 quarther of a mile, the same sort of labourers and salutes 
 were met widh, and in aich case, the workmin seemed to 
 be surpassin' one another in the purty way they spoke 
 Latin, and betther nor any clargy the Frinch ever met in 
 their own counthry. 
 
 " At last they were comin' nigh the Hill of Howth, and 
 who was on the road but Father Pathrick in disguise. He 
 offs with his caubeen and salutes them in the grandest way, 
 and in the best Latin they had yet heerd. The Frinch 
 professors questioned, examined, and crosshackled him, in 
 every way, and for a long time on the road. He thin in 
 turn began to put questions to them. Faix and soon they 
 found themselves bogged and hasped for an answer. Now 
 seein' the turret of the monasthry church not far distant, 
 and bleevin' that the abbot and monks were all there, and 
 ready to meet them on the public platform, the head-pro- 
 fessor fell back among his comerades, and held a conference 
 widh thim. ' Boys,' siz he, 'yees have seen and heerd the 
 poor scholars along the road, who M'ere tached in the 
 college there, and how highly coached they are in Latin 
 afther a short coorse, and what must not be the larnin' of 
 their masthers, who 'ar at it all their lives. I'm shure if we 
 carried out our challenge, the monks of Howth would 
 make hares and holy shows of huz all afore the Irish people, 
 and those of the whole world. So the best of our play is to 
 hurry back to the ship and sail away home to Prance.' 
 The other professors approved his advice, and thin all of 
 them turned their backs on Howth. I need hardly tell ye, 
 the road shcrapers laughin' in their sleeve noticed the 
 homeward-bound movements of the Frinch ; and as the 
 thravellers passed aich of thim on their return, ' God speed 
 ye, gintlemin,' was the partin' salute given agin in Latin. 
 The thravellers were so much ashamed whin they reached 
 Paris, that they gev out an excuse for their failure by statin' 
 that they never landed on the shores of Ireland at all, but
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 7 
 
 that havin' sailed out to say, they were dhriven back to 
 France by conthrairy winds. But the Father Abbot and 
 monks of Howth consealed their own thrick, and belled it 
 over the whole counthry, that the most lamed min in 
 France kern over to howld a conthravarsy wid thimselves, 
 and whin they wint as far as the monasthry gate, they got 
 afeerd of incountherin' the monks, and darn't carry out 
 their challenge, but ran away like cowards." 
 
 Thus ended Tom Breen's story, we feeling greatly inte- 
 rested and amused while the narrative proceeded. Having 
 thanked him for his courtesy, we bade him adieu, and 
 walked on to the comfortable presbytery, enjoying greatly 
 thehumour of those incidents related, regarding the famous 
 College of Howth, and the scheme of the ingenious if not 
 ingenuous monks to preserve and propagate its literary 
 reputation. 
 
 No. H. 
 €i)t <^oI)t)an ^aor antJ t)ig Critics. 
 
 LEGEND OF ARDMORE, COUNTY OF WATERFORD. 
 
 '• Blessed that child of humanity, happiest man among men, 
 Who, with hammer, or chisel, or pencil, with rudder, or ploughshare, 
 
 or pen, 
 Laboureth ever and ever with hope through the morning of life, 
 Winning home and its darling divinities — love-worshipped children 
 
 and wife, 
 Round swings the hammer of industry-, quickly the sharp chisel rings, 
 And the heart of the toiler has throbbings that stir not the bosom of 
 
 kings." 
 
 — Denis Florence MacCarthj^'s Be//-Founder, part i. 
 
 Everybody knows, that a celebrated artist, the Gobban 
 Saor, was the greatest builder of churches in Ireland. 
 Among other great works, he designed and erected that 
 remarkable group, which rises over the sea at Ardmore, in 
 the County of Waterford. The Round Tower and the 
 churches there are well known as objects of curiosity to the 
 antiquary and tourist ; but few are aware, that after Gobban 
 had built them, he chose to erect a house for himself and 
 to settle in the neighbourhood. His fame for ingenuity 
 and good workmanship soon extended to the most distant
 
 a IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 places ; and wherever a great building was desired by any 
 of the clerics, he was ever and always consulted about its 
 erection, and most generally employed to carry out the 
 design. Moreover, he was skilled in all branches of the 
 fine arts ; especially in wood and metal work. He also 
 kept a number of tradesmen and apprentices at the car- 
 penters' bench, and quite as many at the smiths' forge. 
 All of these he taught their respective trades, so that many 
 of them became famous, and when they set up on their own 
 account they got sufficient employment from the kings, and 
 chiefs, and bishops, in various parts of Ireland. 
 
 Although one of the most clever artists, however, the 
 Gobban Saor found that whatever piece of work he executed, 
 some captious individuals had objections to it. At length, 
 like many an astute politician, he hoped to gage the 
 tendency of popular opinion, and to steer his bark accord- 
 ingly ; for as he reasoned, that two heads being admittedly 
 wiser than one, by a still juster conclusion, the more opinions 
 he heard expressed, and by a still greater number of people, 
 the more hints he should receive, and therefore profit most 
 by such suggestions. He thought over a plan, which he 
 deemed to l3e a capital expedient to put his theory to the 
 test. Then setting to work with a will, and sparing no 
 labour or skill on the object which engaged his attention 
 for many weeks, the Gobban Saor made a grand box, in 
 what he thought the best of taste, ornamented with fine 
 carving, and painted in the most attractive tone of colouring. 
 Afterwards, he placed it on the middle of a cross-road, 
 which the people would have to pass by on their way to 
 Mass, it being the Sunday he chose for that exhibition. 
 Getting inside the box, he locked it, and waited to hear 
 what comments might be made on it, by the people going 
 by to attend their devotions. 
 
 A crowd soon gathered round the box, when the general 
 opinion prevailed, that it was the "finest" box ever they 
 saw; only some thought that the legs were a little too long. 
 Hearing this, Gobban waited until they were all gone into 
 the church, when he got out, and, having his tools with 
 him, he cut a small portion off" the feet. "Now it must 
 certainly please them," thought he to himself. Getting into 
 the box again, he waited to hear what should be said by 
 the people on their way from Mass. Then another crowd, 
 collecting round the box, gave it as a pretty general opinion, 
 that it was the "grandest box" ever made, only the legs
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 9 
 
 were then too short ; and others thought that it should look 
 much better if these were removed altogether. Whereupon, 
 Gobban took away the legs, to gratify his critics, and to 
 learn again what effect that might have on the public taste 
 and judgment. 
 
 He resolved to try the experiment for another Sunday. 
 Then he found the criticisms had taken quite another turn. 
 Every one seemed to be of opinion, that the box was too 
 long for its width, and that its proportions were not very 
 good. WTiereupon, the Gobban Saor. set himself anew to 
 the task of shortening it considerably, and once more he 
 ensconced himself within it. The following Sunday, he 
 heard a different class of objections ; for all then agreed, 
 that the box now looked too short, and that the sides 
 should be narrowed to make it more shapely. The artist 
 again remodelled his box. and once more he subjected it to 
 inspection. He heard the first person that arrived state, 
 that the box then looked worse than before, for its height 
 was out of all proportion to its length and breadth, and that 
 the lid ought to be lowered very considerably. This too 
 seemed to be the opinion very generally entertained by all 
 the bystanders. More disappointed and disconcerted than 
 ever, the Gobban Saor spent that week in taking off several 
 inches from the top, and now the box became so small, that 
 he had barely room to squeeze himself into it, to learn what 
 judgment the people might form of himself and his work- 
 manship on the next Sunday. " Although there were faults 
 in the box before," said one of the farmers, "the Gobban 
 Saor might have let well enough alone ; for what with 
 sawing it here, and hacking it there, scraping of the paint, 
 and patching it together, every change has been for the 
 worse." "I quite agree with you, neighbour," said one 
 who was present, " and besides it is labour lost, nor does it 
 increase the Gobban Saor's credit as an artisan." Several 
 voices were then heard expressing various conflicting 
 opinions, but all of these of a fault finding character, and 
 hardly any were qualified in a favourable point of view. 
 
 On hearing the foregoing remarks, Gobban could no 
 longer restrain his patience, and got out of the box. Then, 
 breaking it up, he said he would never try to please every- 
 body for the future, but should have reliance on his 
 judgment alone to plan and execute his own work.
 
 lO IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 No. III. 
 
 LEGEND OF WOODSTOCK CASTLE, COUNTY OF KILDARE. 
 
 "The lone tower dark against a heaven all glowing, 
 Like seas of glass and fire— I saw the sweep 
 Of glorious woods far down the mountain side, 
 And their still shadows in the gleaming tide. 
 And the red evening on its waves asleep ; 
 And 'midst the scene — oh ! more than all— there smiled 
 My child's fair face, and hers, the mother of my child ! " 
 
 — Mrs. Felicia Hemans' T/ie Forest Sanctuary, 
 part ii., stanza xi. 
 
 In the early part of this century, a Mrs. Mary St. John 
 lived in Stradbally, Queen's County, and she was an 
 industrious collector of stories, related by the townsfolk and 
 country people. That lady and her companion, a Mrs. 
 Bradshaw, occupied a handsome and convenient private 
 house near the bridge, which spans the Beauteogue River 
 running through the village. Both were favourites among 
 the townspeople, and especially beloved by the poor old 
 beggar women, who were always to be found assembled 
 before their front door, during the hour for dinner; as soon 
 afterwards the maid servant appeared, and distributed a 
 portion of broken meat and of vegetables to each expectant 
 of the compassionate ladies' charities. An afternoon walk 
 usually preceded their dinner-hour, and their return home 
 was the signal for the trooping after them of their poor 
 clientele, who were always profuse in their praises, and "with 
 blessings on them, loudly and fervently expressed. 
 
 Each Sunday in the village there were different hours for 
 service, both in the Protestant church, and in the old 
 Catholic chapel, when their respective bells tolled the 
 signal for the different congregations to enter. In a village 
 community, observations are made that cannot well be 
 avoided ; and when the various families in town turned out 
 to attend their devotions, some were remarked as going 
 forth at the first tap of the bell, and walking leisurely, since 
 they were sure to be in good time. Others again were 
 noticed leaving their homes only at the last moment, and 
 sometimes after the last toll of the bell, then moving at a 
 striding pace, or even running, and always in time to be late. 
 In the little square outside the chapel gate, a crowd of
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGKNDS. II 
 
 country people was usually collected, at an early hour, but 
 rather to engage in conversation or to discuss the current 
 social and political subjects of the day. Sometimes these 
 debates waxed warm, as voluble orators of differing opinions 
 longed for the opportunity of engaging in contests, which 
 were only adjourned as the bell ceased ringing, and a 
 general rush was made for the gate, when Mass was about 
 to commence. The square tower of the Protestant church 
 had two bells, but these were of different tones : the first 
 bell rung was pitched in a slow and deep measure, and it 
 was called " Solemn Bob" ; while at its close, and for about 
 five minutes before the service began, a much smaller bell 
 sent forth a quick and jingling sound, supposed to express 
 " Come or Stay," and therefore so called by the townspeople. 
 Then only were the numerous Protestant laggards on the 
 run. Now Mrs. St. John and Mrs. Bradshaw were invari- 
 ably out of their house, dressed in a most matronly and 
 becoming fashion, the very moment " Solemn Bob" gave 
 the first note. With the Book of Common Prayer, Bible 
 and Hymn Book, both ladies were to be seen moving 
 towards the church, which was not far distant ; while their 
 dignified demeanour and praiseworthy punctuality in pro- 
 ceeding to commence their devout exercises gave edification 
 to people of every rank, class and religious denomination. 
 Hats were raised and courtesies were made as they passed 
 along, and these salutes were courteously returned by the 
 gentlewomen, who felt indeed, that they were greatly loved 
 and respected by their neighbours, gentle and simple. 
 
 The external manner and bearing of both ladies were 
 quite different : Mrs. Bradshaw, tall and lean, being distin- 
 guished by a reserved and distant mien in her intercourse 
 with other persons, yet withal condescending and approach- 
 able enough, however puritanical she might seem ; while 
 Mrs. St. John, rather full and portly in figure, was ever 
 cheery and good humoured, social and agreeable in conver- 
 sation, knowing nearly all people in the village by name 
 and occupation, having a kindly word for each in passing, 
 and often stopping to inquire about themselves and famiHes. 
 She had ready wit, in a remarkable degree, and a knowledge 
 of the world, for she had travelled to Ihe East and lived for 
 some time abroad. Yet, her exile altered not her truly 
 Irish nature, and when she returned to her native country, 
 the scenes of childhood had special attractions for her. 
 
 Being a student of village and peasant life, she loved to
 
 12 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 meet some eccentric character, and have a linguistic passage 
 at arms in good humoured fashion with him or her, as the 
 case might be. Such opportunities were often afforded, and 
 several stories were current of the smart things said, and 
 the repartees which were returned on either side. 
 
 With children she felt quite at home, and loved to 
 converse w'ith them, inquiring about their school proficiency, 
 putting such questions as she thought interested them, and 
 eliciting such replies as their information or intelligence 
 permitted them to make. Oftentimes she drew from her 
 reticule Shrewsbury cakes, which served to ingratiate her 
 still more in their regards, while those marks of her favour 
 were willingly received and thankfully acknowledged. She 
 was an elderly lady in Stradbally, about the year 1834, and 
 then in good health, but the writer has not been able to 
 ascertain the year of her death. Having premised so much 
 regarding early recollections of this lady, it next becomes 
 necessary to introduce the legend for which we are indebted 
 to her. 
 
 To gratify her own literary taste, and as we think, chiefly 
 for private circulation among her friends, Mrs. St. John 
 printed a ballad poem, intituled " EUauna," Dublin, 1815? 
 and divided into four cantos. It is now many years past, 
 and in our school -boy days, when we were gratified with 
 the perusal of that little octavo book, which was all the 
 more interesting to us, because Ellauna happened to be the 
 heroine, and a chieftainess of the great dynast family 
 belonging to the O'Mores of Dunamase, and who formerly 
 ruled over all the Leix territory. The notes annexed to 
 each canto contained some items of historical or traditional 
 information ; and we then penned down the following 
 narrative — probably verbatim et litterativi — on a scrap of 
 paper, which, lest it might be otherwise forgotten, we deem 
 worthy of preservation in our storied repertory. 
 
 It was stated, that Dorothea O'More, daughter to O'More 
 of Leix, brought in dowry to Gerald, the seventh Baron of 
 Offaly, the town of Athy, with the manor and adjoining 
 Castle of Woodstock. The Black Castle, afterwards the 
 C'ounty Gaol, was the defence for a bridge over the Barrow. 
 It is related, that the O'More either built or liberally 
 endowed two or three religious houses in Athy. Near this 
 town, on the western bank of the Barrow, stands the old 
 Castle ; and it has a historic interest attaching to it in the 
 mediaeval times, when the Geraldines were its occupants.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. I3 
 
 A local legend prevailed, that the Castle of Woodstock 
 accidentally took fire. The nurse of Fitz-Gerald's heir, the 
 son of Dorothea, perished in the flames ; but, when the 
 family and domestics looked up, they beheld a large and 
 favourite baboon, with the child in her arms and on the 
 highest parapet of the Castle. She clanked her chain for 
 aid ; a ladder was speedily procured, and the infant was 
 happily restored to his despairing parents. In remembrance 
 of this signal deliverance, the chief of Offaly had inwoven 
 on his banners a baboon, chained proper. To the present 
 day, this continues to be the armorial distinction borne by 
 the illustrious House of Leinster. 
 
 No. IV. 
 
 iSotnantic ^irtt of ^t. ^Furseij. 
 
 LEGEND OF INCHIQUIN OR INISQUIN, COUNTY OF GAL WAY. 
 
 " Temer si dee di sole quelle cose 
 
 Ch" hanno potenza di fare altrui male : 
 Deir altre no, che non son panrose. 
 lo son fatta da Dio, sua nierce. tale. 
 Che la vostra miseria non mi tange, 
 Nh flamma d'esto incendio non m' assale." 
 
 — Dante Alighieri's La Divina Coiniuedia^ 
 Inferno, Canto Secondo, 11. 88 — 93. 
 
 "Of those things only should one be afraid 
 
 Which have the power of doing others harm ; 
 Of the rest, no ; because they are not fearful. 
 God in His mercy such created me 
 That misery of yours attains me not, 
 Nor any flame asails me of this burning." 
 
 — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Translation. 
 
 In framing an Irish story, it was never deemed to be a 
 canon of composition, that the Sanachee should keep within 
 the limits of probability or even of consistency in the course 
 of his narrative. Sufficient for him, if it was extravagant 
 enough to excite the wonder of his hearers, and to mystify 
 their intelligence. The confusion of persons and places 
 offered no impediment in the plot, provided the commonalty 
 for whom it had been prepared could find ingredients 
 presented to the fancy and combined according to the taste
 
 14 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 or opinion of the individuals addressed. "With such 
 reflections premised, we shall introduce the following 
 romaunt derived from popular tradition and referring to a 
 renowned Irish saint. 
 
 A very long time ago, dating so far back as the seventh 
 century. King ^dfind, or "Hugh the White," — said to 
 have been ruler over the Hy-Bruin or Breifne district's 
 thought to have lived in some part of the Connaught 
 province. However, we have only a partial glimmer of 
 traditional accounts, drawn from numerous old codice>^ 
 preserved in different libraries, with more recent comments 
 of chroniclers, to state our present legend. It is strange, 
 too, these records are mostly preserved abroad ; and from 
 the earlier ones, Surius, the Bollandists, Colgan, and 
 Mabillon have furnished versions of that provincial dynast's 
 career, in Acts of the celebrated St. Fursey. From these, 
 James Desmay, Doctor of Theology of the Sorbonne, and 
 Canon of wSt. Fursey's Collegiate Church, at Perrone, in 
 France, published that great saint's life in French, in the 
 sixteenth century. Therein, he not only preserves those 
 legends referring to the subject of his memoir, but he even 
 dilates on them with a breadth of fond imagination, yet 
 betraying much ignorance regarding Ireland's early con- 
 dition and history. We here select for the subject of a 
 legend those circumstances related as preceding and accom- 
 panying St. Fursey's birth. These are romantic to a degree. 
 In the action of that story, and in the sentiments there 
 expressed, we are strongly reminded regarding the chivalry 
 of the middle ages and the practices of knight-errantry; 
 while there is reason to believe, nevertheless, that warlike 
 and heroic adventures were required at a very early period, 
 to qualify young Irish chiefs for distinction and knight- 
 hood. 
 
 When three brothers — Brendan, elsewhere called Bran- 
 dubh, King of Louth or Leinster — for the narrative is 
 varied — Feradhach, and yl'klfind, King of Breifne, lived in 
 their own parts of Ireland ; King Finlog ruled over the 
 province of Munster, and he had a distinguished son named 
 Fintan. This prince desired much to visit the other kings, 
 chiefs, and territorial magnates of Ireland, to engage their 
 favour and friendship, as also to acquire a personal know- 
 ledge of local customs and laws. Among others, he sought 
 Brandubh, King of Leinster, who received him very 
 honourably ; and, at his fort, the young prince acquired
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 1 5 
 
 the friendship and love of the king, as also of his chiefs. 
 His personal attractions, valour, urbane manners, and 
 regular morals, made him everywhere a welcome guest. 
 
 Having remained some time with Brandubh or Brendan, 
 Fintan had a favourable report of his younger brother, 
 ^^dfind, who lived away from the Leinster King, and at a 
 considerable distance. Although a pagan, that brother was 
 renowned for courtly manners and hospitality. Thither 
 Fintan proceeded, and there introduced, he was received 
 with respectful courtesy and attention. This king had an 
 only daughter named Gelgeis, Latinized Gelghesia, or, 
 Anglicised, " the White Swan." She had been brought up 
 in all the exercises of piety, her mother most probably 
 having been a Christian ; besides, she was a princess of 
 great accomplishments and beauty. Soon after the arrival 
 of Fintan, accompanied by her lady friends, Gelgeis went 
 to an exhibition or a spectacle. Most probably it was a 
 military assault-at-arms or some sportive game. There the 
 princely guest was distinguished for his accomplishments 
 and prowess. At once the attention of Gelgeis was directed 
 towards Fintan, and her curiosity was awakened. She felt 
 a great inclination to learn his personal history, and soon 
 she found that he was a pagan. From some of her 
 attendants who were present, Gelgeis inquired who he was, 
 for what purpose he came, and what were his peculiar 
 qualities and rank. 
 
 While engaged in a conference of this sort, Fintan himself 
 approached, presenting a pleasing address, air, and demean- 
 our. He accosted the lady in these words — "O most 
 beautiful princess, it is the custom of noble youths to seek 
 the palm of military prowess through different parts of the 
 world, and thus to deserve the regard of noble maidens. 
 Wherefore, having come to this part of the country, and 
 obtained the good opinion of your father and mother, I still 
 desire more earnestly to ingratiate myself into your favour, 
 and, if possible, to hold the first place in your affections. 
 For no constrained reason, but through a voluntary impulse, 
 I have exiled myself so long from home. I am the eldest 
 son of Finlog, King of Munster, and, according to the laws 
 of my country, I ought to succeed him in the kingdom. 
 Therefore do I desire in my youth to acquire a knowledge 
 of the various habits and customs of different countries, and 
 to gain the favour and friendship of many kings and princes, 
 so that, if I live to enjoy the inheritance to which I am
 
 l6 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 born, I may be able to govern my principality with prudence 
 and defend it with valour, or, if circumstances require it, to 
 make others subject to my rule." 
 
 Then Gelgeis told him that kings were only happy when 
 they recognised the superiority of the King of kings, and 
 who practised the requirements of religion, who proved 
 themselves obedient to the Divine will, and who, by exer- 
 cising justice and prudence, should learn from the Almighty 
 a true and wise order and example for the rule and govern- 
 ment of their states. The additional words attributed to 
 her are: — "O honourable youth, the works of Divine 
 wisdom are variously manifested, and by their operation all 
 things in heaven, on earth, in the sea, and beneath the 
 depths, are directed. If faithfully and firmly believing in 
 God, you commit to Him your hopes, the glory you desire, 
 and the rewards you expect in the present life, doubtless in 
 the next you will secure eternal felicity." 
 
 Her persuasive words and singular modesty of deportment 
 gained on the affections of Fintan, and soon he desired to 
 contract a marriage with the beautiful princess. Having 
 resolved on the course to be taken, Fintan proposed his 
 intentions to Gelgeis. hoping to obtain her consent for his 
 suit. She replied, that, being a Christian, she had rather 
 always remain a virgin than engage in a matrimonial alliance 
 with any man of a different persuasion. She said, moreover, 
 that, unless a prospect of some great good, or of a result 
 agreeable to God, were afforded, she had rather not embrace 
 the engagements and difficulties inseparable from the 
 marriage state. The possibility of Fintan becoming a 
 Christian and of renouncing idolatry having been established, 
 an effort was made to learn the will of Gelgeis's father on 
 this matter. This king was a determined enemy of Christi- 
 anity, however, and he was also found adverse to the 
 question of his daughter's marriage with a Christian. 
 
 Meantime, /Edfind had formed such a favourable opinion 
 of Fintan, that he desired him to remain as one of his 
 courtiers and to engage in his service. Not unwilling to 
 live in a position, where he could enjoy the conversation 
 and society of his beloved Gelgeis, Fintan consented, and 
 gradually their intercourse became more impassioned ; nor 
 was this unknown or unnoticed by their confidants at court, 
 although the father of Gelgeis did not suspect her affections 
 had been thus bestowed on the young warrior and stranger. 
 
 The counsellors of the young couple, after mature con-
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 1 7 
 
 sicleration, thought it better to advise a marriage, even 
 although the father's consent could not be obtained ; and 
 thus those friends were chiefly instrumental in procuring a 
 matrimonial alliance between Fintan and Gelgeis. Mutual 
 consent and faithful love blessed their union. Fintan 
 abjured the worship of idols, and married Gelgeis, according 
 to the prescribed rites of the Church. The parents of both 
 parties were ignorant, however, regarding these pro- 
 ceedings. 
 
 In due course of time, Gelgeis was about to give birth to 
 a child ; but soon her condition became known to /Edfind, 
 who instituted inquiries, and at last he obtained the revela- 
 tion of what had occurred. Inflamed with a hatred of 
 the Christian religion, and construing the secret marriage 
 of Gelgeis as indicating contempt for paternal authority, 
 King /Edfind resolved on allaying the flames of his own 
 wrath by condemning his daughter to a most cruel death. 
 The unnatural tyrant commanded, that she should be con- 
 ducted to a pyre, which had been prepared for the purpose, 
 and which afterwards was to be set in flames. This 
 intelligence caused the chiefs and nobles, together with the 
 people, to feel deepest affliction, while all orders and classes 
 of persons greatly deplored the impending fate of their 
 beloved princess, whose virtues and graces were so univer- 
 sally esteemed. 
 
 When Gelgeis heard of this fearful sentence, she deemed 
 it right to offer an explanation of her motives, with her 
 apologies for the secret course she had taken. Still fearing 
 his ungovernable rage, she suppliantly approached her, 
 father to offer dutiful submission, and those reasons that 
 induced her to engage in the matrimonial state. Notwith- 
 standing her tears and entreaties, he scarcely allowed her a 
 hearing, but gave orders that immediate preparations should 
 be made for her execution. As the dynast was known to 
 be of an implacable and a hasty temper, no one dared 
 advocate her cause or intercede for a remission of her 
 sentence, lest the king's anger might be excited against the 
 intercessor. However, /Edfind's elder brother Brandubh 
 chanced to be present at that time when Gelgeis had been 
 condemned to the flames. Meantime, some chiefs had 
 waited on the king's brother, and Brandubh entered com- 
 pletely into their views, feeling a deep compassion for the 
 sad condition of his niece. This king is said to have used 
 all his influence to overcome /Edfind's cruel resolution.
 
 1 8 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 lie urged remonstrances as to what judgment the neigh- 
 bouring kings, all Ireland, foreign nations, and all posterity, 
 must arrive at, in consideration of such a shocking barbarity. 
 He besought the king not to stain his reputation and that 
 of his family, by such an unheard-of wickedness, nor to 
 grieve the hearts of all his subjects, by inflicting on them 
 such a mortal wound, — in fine, that he should be ashamed 
 to be considered as a tyrant over a woman, as an unnatural 
 parent sacrificing his own daughter, as an unjust man acting 
 against a just person, oi' as a wicked judge oppressing an 
 innocent princess. But all these arguments were vainly 
 urged ; for neither entreaties, reason, pity, nor kindred were 
 able to move the arbitrary tyrant. This latter even urged 
 the executioners to obey commands given, and he warned 
 the people to interpose no obstacle thereto, under pain of 
 incurring his displeasure. 
 
 The time fixed for the execution of Gelgeis approached, 
 and a vast crowd assembled. In silence, the people stood 
 around, while Brandubh and the chiefs lamented the 
 impending fate of the princess. Sorrow and distress were 
 visible in the countenances of all spectators. However, 
 when human patronage is wanting, it often pleases the 
 Almighty to interpose His providence in an effectual manner, 
 on behalf of injured innocence. The divine care and 
 complacency entertained for Gelgeis were soon manifested. 
 The infant then carried in her womb, and who had not 
 yet seen the light, began to plead the cause of his mother, 
 in a clear and distinct voice. Against her inhuman parent 
 he bitterly inveighed, because that tyrant sought the death 
 of an innocent person, and because he pronounced an unjust 
 sentence, without favourably hearing a daughter's justifica- 
 tion. The king was declared guilty of an unnatural cruelty 
 towards Gelgeis, because he had ordered executioners to 
 satiate his blind rage, passion, and frenzy, instead of exer- 
 cising the judgment of an equitable and a merciful ruler and 
 parent. Fear and wonder took possession of those Pagans 
 who were present, while pious impetration and hope 
 characterised the assembled Christians. The former super- 
 stitiously imagined themselves hearing some sound or 
 complaint of a passing spectre, and not that of a human 
 voice ; while the latter conceived, that those words proceeded 
 from the Almighty Himself, recognising the words of 
 inspired vScripture — " God hath done all things whatsoever 
 He hath wished, both in h,eaven and on earth." Instead of
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. I9 
 
 being mollified ])y the miracle recorded, /Edfind allowed 
 his mind to become still more obstinate and unyielding. 
 Losing all temper at the idea of being foiled in his intentions, 
 the king ordered his executioner to prepare three different 
 fires. 
 
 When his daughter approached nearer to the prepared 
 pyre, she asked one favour from her father. The object 
 she had in view was to offer up a short prayer to the 
 Almighty on behalf of her immortal soul. That favour he 
 granted. She thus spoke — " My God and my hope from 
 youth. Thou who art a protector in all anguish and tribula- 
 tion, behold how I have loved Thy truths, since those who 
 are just obtain eternal life. Before Thee, in my heart, I 
 desire to cherish faith, and to make a true confession, in 
 the presence of many witnesses. O Lord, in whose sight 
 the very depths of our souls are revealed. Thou knowest 
 that I have not sought the marriage for which I am now 
 adjudged to the flames, on account of worldly satisfaction 
 or honour ; but, moved by Thy inspirations, and owing to 
 the counsels of my faithful friends, I desired to win my 
 spouse for Thee, and to bring forth an offering worthy of 
 Thee, who should sustain Thy afflicted Church, overthrow 
 idolatry, and the tyrannic sway of a prince, that should rule 
 by his virtues in this quarter. Wherefore, O Lord, have 
 mercy on me, and may my death end in life everlasting. 
 On account of Thy glorious name, preserve the fruit of my 
 womb ; for when through Thy divine will he was conceived, 
 I dedicated him to Thy service. O Lord God, let Thy 
 mercy attend to Thy handmaid's supplication, now asking 
 Thee in tears, for the safety of one I should hereafter be 
 obliged to bring forth in pain. Protect him under the 
 shadow of Thy wings, that he may produce fruits for Thee 
 in Thy Church, and that his enemies may recognise him 
 when seen ; because in the day of tribulation, Thou wilt 
 not forsake those trusting in Thee, nor wilt Thou leave 
 unsupported those oppressed by the proud and tyrannical." 
 Having thus prayed, Gelgeis is said to have been brought 
 forth by the executioners, and committed to the flames. 
 On beholding the fire preparing to consume her, a flood of 
 tears came from her eyes. This proved the occasion of 
 another astonishing miracle. For when those tears watered 
 the ground, a gushing fountain sprang up, and a heavy 
 shower of rain fell from the skies at the same time. It 
 pleased the Almighty, by such means, to extinguish those
 
 20 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 fires prepared for her destruction. In this manner, Gelgeis 
 was preserved from harm, nor even was any portion of her 
 garments consumed. The people were wonderfully rejoiced 
 at this great triumph of innocence and justice. They also 
 demanded with loud cries the death of her unnatural 
 parent. 
 
 Still not becoming a convert in consequence of those 
 miracles, yet /Edfind relented in his meditated scheme of 
 cruelty. A popular insurrection even broke out because of 
 this miracle, which resulted in the safety of Gelgeis. 
 According to Saint Fursey's older Acts, the influence of 
 ecclesiastics had been exerted in appeasing this seditious 
 tumult ; but Gelgeis' entreaties procured her father's safety 
 from his own subjects. Nevertheless, /Edfind resolved that 
 Gelgeis and her husband should be banished from his 
 territories. Then Fintan began to consider, whether he 
 should go back to his father in Munster, or select another 
 patron, his uncle St. Brendan, who lived still nearer that 
 place. At this time, that distinguished and holy abbot had 
 a monastic establishment on the Island of Inisquin, or 
 Inchiquin, in Lough Orbsen, now Lough Corrib. Fintan 
 thereupon resolved to seek the latter in his monastery. 
 
 Having had a revelation, that a great plenitude of divine 
 wisdom was hereafter to dwell in St. Fursey, the holy 
 Brendan enjoined a fast of three days on himself and upon 
 his community. No sooner had Fintan and Gelgeis arrived 
 on the island, than a lodging was prepared for them in the 
 guest-house of the monastery, while every care and courtesy 
 was lavished on them by the great abbot, known as the 
 Navigator, who discovered the greater Ireland in the 
 Western Ocean, and who was afterwards the Bishop of 
 Clonfert. A great and brilliant light surrounded the house, 
 as if promising to indicate the advent of another light, 
 which was soon to shine upon earth ; and, when her time 
 had elapsed, Gelgeis brought forth her son, who was destined 
 for a high and holy mission. 
 
 The following continuation of narrative is to be found in 
 the older Acts of St. Fursey. Nevertheless, places and 
 persons are greatly confounded, so as to prevent any clear 
 historic sequence or identification. Brendan received the 
 boy, and conferred on him the sacrament of Baptism, 
 bestowing the name Fursey at the same time. This name 
 is said, by Desmay, to have had the signification of "Virtue," 
 in the Irish or Scottish language. The abbot Brendan not
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 21 
 
 only supplied corporal food to his spiritual son, but in 
 course of time trained him up in monastic discipline, and in 
 a knowledge of sacred learning, for which the boy had such 
 a special aptitude. 
 
 It need scarcely be added, that in after time occurred 
 those celebrated ecstasies of St. Fursey, which took place 
 in his monastery, and that were written in a book. From 
 this Venerable Bede transcribed them into his Ecclesiastical 
 History of England, composed in the eighth century. One 
 of the brothers of Bede's monastery used to relate those 
 visions, as he heard them told by a religious man, who had 
 learned them from St. Fursey's own lips, when he dwelt 
 among the East Angles. That account described his trans- 
 port in spirit to Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. 
 
 The historians of general literature have hardly traced 
 with distinctness those originals from which the finest works 
 of imagination have been produced. Strange as it may 
 appear, and with all the profusion of comment bestowed 
 on the subject, few waiters have been able to state the 
 sequence of intellectual delight, which has been drawn from 
 the "Vision of St. Fursey." That composition afterwards 
 became the model on which was founded the visions of 
 Adamnan, and of Tundal, It was closely imitated by 
 Frate Alberico, a monk of Monte Cassino. It became the 
 most widespread and popular romance of the ages preceding 
 Dante. The latter took from it his ideas, and formed on it 
 the plan and ground-work for his sublime poem ; while 
 various scenes and passages of the original are reproduced, 
 but with some additions from more ancient and classical 
 sources, in the immortal " Divina Commedia."
 
 22 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 No. V. 
 
 ^fit (Bavvaxi Jjaton. 
 
 LEGEND OF ISIOGHIA, NEAR LISMORE, QUEEN's COUNTY. 
 
 "A Pack-horse turn'd his head aside, 
 Foaming, his eye-balls swell'd with pi ide. 
 ' Good gods ! (says he) how hard's my lot ! 
 Is then my high descent forgot ? 
 Reduc'd to drudgery and disgrace, 
 (A life unworthy of my race) 
 Must I, too, bear the vile attacks 
 Of ragged scrubs and vulgar hacks?"" 
 
 — John Gay's Fables, Part ii. 
 
 Once upon a time, there were two celebrated monasteries 
 in vogue ; one of those was at Aghaboe, in the Queen's 
 County, and the other some eight or ten miles distant, nt 
 Monahincha, in the County of Tipperary. Now it happened, 
 that the monks of one of these monasteries had a grey 
 horse, past its labour in the field. But he was a hardy and 
 a knowledgeable old animal, that was yet turned to good 
 account. He had travelled so frequently in his day between 
 Aghaboe and Monahincha, that he knew every inch of the 
 Ballaghmore or great road. 
 
 In those times, there w^ere no postal facilities between 
 the religious of the two houses, and yet they were obliged 
 to keep up a daily communication. At last it was thought, 
 that the Garran Bawn — as the old horse was called — might 
 be trained to travel back and forward each day, with saddle- 
 bags slung on either side of his back to balance each other. 
 Soon did the animal learn to jog along leisurely, with the 
 necessaries and messages for the monks of both establish- 
 ments contained in the saddle-bags, and without even a 
 guide to direct him. Nor would any of the people along 
 the road molest him, as they knew his office was to bear 
 only what was useful for the monks. 
 
 However, there were three rascals living in the neigbour- 
 hood, called Deegan, Dooly, and Dullany, who had not the 
 same respect for the old horse, nor for the requisites he 
 was accustomed to carry. These men entered into a 
 conspiracy to seize the poor animal one day. and to plunder 
 the panniers. Accordingly, they waited for him on the 
 highway, at a place called Moghia, near Lismore, where
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 23 
 
 the Garran Bawn was stopped, and the robbers, emptying 
 out the contents of the saddle-bags, decamped with their 
 plunder. However, after this shabby transaction, they all 
 came to misfortune and sorrow, as the story goes. They 
 even brought a deep disgrace on all those who belonged to 
 their families. A law was passed in both the religious 
 houses, that no person named Deegan, Dooly, or Dullany, 
 should be ordained a priest ; nor was any monk of the 
 name ever afterwards admitted into the Monasteries of 
 Aghaboe or Monahincha. 
 
 No. VI. 
 
 (ITonla t^e artist antr tlfte iBeatr leonts. 
 
 LEGEND OF DUN-CRUITHNE, INNISHOWEN, COUNTY OF 
 DONEGAL. 
 
 " Gone your abbot, rule and order, 
 Broken down your altar stones ; 
 Nought see 1 beneath your shelter. 
 Save a heap of clayey bones. 
 
 Oh ! the hardship, oh ! the hatred, 
 
 Tyranny and cruel war, 
 Persecution and oppression. 
 
 That have left you as you are !" 
 — Sir Samuel Ferguson's Lays of the Western Gael, 
 The Forester's Complaint. 
 
 It is long ago since St. Patrick travelled through Innishowen, 
 where lived a celebrated worker in metals, known as Conla 
 the Artist. Not even the celebrated Harry Gow, the 
 armourer, so famous through Sir Walter Scott's account of 
 him in the "Fair Maid of Perth,'' could match him in skill. 
 Conla lived at Dun-Cruithne or the Picts' Fort, and he 
 wrought chiefly in bronze vessels of exquisite design and 
 tinish for St. Patrick who baptized him. The people there 
 whenever they wished to praise a white-smith's handywork 
 yet say, "Conla himself was not a better workman." It 
 seems that when Conla died, he left a shrine of exceeding 
 great beauty unfinished, and not another man could be 
 found to complete it properly, after he had been laid in the 
 tomb.
 
 24 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 Many succeeding years having rolled by, St. Columkille 
 passed that way, and saw the unfinished shrine. He asked 
 about the artist, but the people told him Conla was in the 
 grave. "Bring me there," said Columba. "and I shall 
 raise him to life, so that he can finish it." This being done, 
 the decaying bones were shown to the saint, who blessed 
 them. To the great admiration of all who were present, 
 flesh grew upon them, Conla came to life again, and 
 completed his work. What is still more surprising, he lived 
 afterwards for many years, and he was the progenitor of a 
 numerous offspring. These were known as the Clann- 
 Cnaimhsighe, or " the posterity of the bones," for all future 
 time. The Cramsies are still numerous in Innishowen, and 
 if asked to translate their name in English, they render it 
 "Bones," and sometimes "Fairy-bones." But they are 
 always delighted to boast their descent from Conla, a very 
 holy man, whom they regard as the patron saint of their 
 family. They still believe, that his skill was superhuman, 
 and that his hands were guided by the angels. 
 
 In the sixteenth century, the remarkable shrine of Conla 
 was kept in an ancient chapel at Screen — so called from 
 the circumstance — in the parish of Tamlachtard or Magil- 
 ligan, in the county and diocese of Derry. In our time, all 
 trace of this remarkable relic has been lost, nor has tradition 
 survived to give a clue for its recovery. 
 
 No. VH. 
 
 ?rte Egrant CTfjirftainffiB antr ()er ^Diuiigfiment. 
 
 LEGEND OF LIOS NA EIBLIN OGE O COILLE MOR, COUNTY 
 CORK. 
 
 "All which is not pure shall melt and wither. 
 Lo ! the desolator's arm is bare. 
 And where man is, Truth shall trace him thither, 
 Be he curtained round with gloom or glare." 
 
 — James Clarence Mangan's Gen/tan Anthology. 
 The Field of Kunnersdorf. 
 
 Not far from the town of Charleville, and in the parish of 
 Shandrum, is the townland of Kilmagoura. On it may be 
 seen a large elevated Lios or Fort, where a castle is said to 
 have formerly stood. This latter was tenanted by a mascu-
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 2$ 
 
 line and tyrannical lady, belonging to the great Desmond 
 Geialdine family ; and, as an extensive wood grew around 
 her castle, she is still traditionally remembered in the 
 neighbourhood as Eileen Oge Fitzgerald of Kylemore or of 
 the Great Wood. She was of a fierce and restless character, 
 constantly leading her clansmen to make forays in all the 
 adjoining districts. She killed all who opposed her, and 
 then took possession of their property. This plunder she 
 brought to and buried in the Lios, where the spoil is 
 thought still to remain. Her death at length relieved her 
 neighbours from the terror she inspired. But, her punish- 
 ment followed afterwards, for she was often seen to wander 
 as an evil spirit, and at night over the scenes of her former 
 depredations. Owing to her oppressive behaviour, she was 
 condemned to wear a thin garb, while she appeared as an 
 old woman, shivering with cold. Her feet resembled those 
 of a sheep, with the divided horny hoofs. Once, when a 
 priest was out late and attending a sick call, she crossed his 
 path. He then commanded her to stop, and inquired, why 
 she was thus wandering, or why she appeared in that guise, 
 with the feet of a sheep. The spirit then answered, in 
 Irish: "Ata alius bocht do saothar ar saor ar a bocht, agus 
 bainne a cuig caoire do caolig mo cos." This may be 
 rendered into English, but amplified beyond a mere trans- 
 lation : "For my cruelty in oppressing the poor, forcing 
 them to perform weighty tasks, and for depriving a poor 
 widow of the milk of her five sheep, my feet are deformed, 
 and I am thus doomed to perpetual motion, until the Day 
 of General Judgment." With the single exception of this 
 Eileen Oge Fitzgerald, all the local and popular traditions 
 having reference to the Geraldines are invariably in their 
 praise ; while admiration for their worth, bravery, and 
 noble actions is generally expressed in the fireside stories 
 of the peasantry.
 
 26 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 NO..VIIL 
 
 Efit miaitv iWonster. 
 
 LEGEND OF THE RTVER LAGAN, COUNTY DOWN. 
 
 " Flow Lagan, flow — though close thy banks of green, 
 Though in the picture of the world unseen, 
 Yet dearer to my soul thy waters run, 
 Than all the rills that glide beneath the sun ; 
 For first by thee my bosom learned to prove 
 The joys of friendship, and the bliss of love ; 
 No change of time, or place, shall e'er dispart 
 Those ties which Nature twines around my heart ; 
 Each dear association, grown more strong, 
 As years roll on, shall flourish in my song." 
 
 — Rev. Dr. William Hamilton Drummond's 
 Giants Causeway, Book i. 
 
 Not far from the episcopal city of Dromore, flow the lazy 
 deep waters of the River Lagan, and often the Patron 
 Saint, Bishop Colman, rambled along its banks in prayer 
 and meditation. Indeed, if tradition speak the truth, often 
 he passed over it with dry feet. But, it was well known, 
 a great water monster lurked beneath its surface, always in 
 quest of prey. Notwithstanding the danger of approaching 
 him, yet, an incautious and innocent young damsel went 
 down the bank, and stood upon some stepping-stones to 
 beetle her linen. The wily monster sailed slowly towards 
 her, and before she was aware of his approach, he suddenly 
 reared his huge head from the deep, opened his tremendous 
 jaws, and at one gulp swallowed the poor maiden alive. 
 Although her terror was very great, yet she had presence 
 of mind to call out, "Oh, holy Colman, save me!" Her 
 cry was heard by the .saint, and he prayed to Heaven for 
 her release. Some of the girl's companions who stood on 
 the bank, and who witnessed that fearful doom, set up 
 shouts and screams. But St. Colman approached the river, 
 and commanded the infernal beast to deliver up his prey. 
 Then the girl he had swallowed was cast unharmed on the 
 bank. There, to this very day, are shown the tracks of the 
 holy bishop's feet, and that path down to the Lagan is 
 called " St. Colman's-road." The monster of the deep was 
 afterwards banished far off, and to the shores of the Red 
 Sea ; but whether he survives in the shape of a modern
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 2/ 
 
 crocodile — they are said to live for centuries — and sheds 
 tears for his past delinquencies, or whether he has been 
 long buried in the sands of Egypt, must furnish matter for 
 further inquiry, as history and tradition are alike silent on 
 the subject. 
 
 No. IX. 
 Naom^ (Brtoif^iY, or ^t. ©regorg of tf)c (Soltieu ittout^, 
 
 LEGEND OF INISHMAAN, ARAN ISLANDS, 
 COUNTY OF GALWAV. 
 
 " But man was born for suffering, and to bear 
 Even pain is better than a dull repose, 
 'Tis noble to subdue the rising tear, 
 'Tis glorious to outlive the heart's sick throes ; 
 Man is most man amidst the heaviest woes, 
 And strongest when least human aid is given, 
 The stout bark flounders when the tempest blows, 
 The mountain oak is by the lightning riven, 
 But what can crush the mind that lives alone with heaven ?" 
 — Jeremiah J. Callanan's Recluse of Inchidony, 
 stanza x.xi. 
 
 The opening between Aranmore and Inishmaan, or the 
 Middle Island, is called Gregory's Sound. According to 
 the Islanders of Aran, its name was derived from a certain 
 venerable man named Naomh Greoihir, or St. Gregory, 
 This holy penitent came originally from the mainland, lying 
 in a south-eastern direction. There he had been guilty of 
 committing some very grievous sin, and he almost despaired 
 of forgiveness. In his anguish of mind, Gregory gnashed 
 his teeth together, and in doing so happened to bite off his 
 under lip, which gave him a frightful appearance. At this 
 time, the holy abbot Enda lived on the Islands of Aran. 
 Gregory took boat, and sailed over to Inishmaan, hoping to 
 receive religious consolation, and to appease his remorse 
 of conscience. He wished to become one of St. Enda's 
 monks, and to spend the remainder of his days in exercises 
 of the most rigorous penance. Yet, on revealing to St. 
 Enny the heinousness of his crime, the great Abbot refused 
 to admit him as a member of his religious community, lest 
 it might prove a cause of scandal to his brethren. However, 
 the superior promised to give him spiritual consolation and
 
 2$ IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 advice, if he lived in a retired place, on the north shore of 
 Inishmaan. There was to be found a cave, in which 
 Gregory took up his abode, and underwent a severe course 
 of penance. To make amends for the disfigurement caused 
 by the loss of his lip, St. Eany caused one of gold to appear 
 in its stead. Hence, in after time, the pious anchoret was 
 denominated, " Gregory of the Golden Mouth." 
 
 A rock and a little cove near his hermitage were called 
 Portaich : and in after time, the place of his habitation 
 was known as Gregory's Cave. Here the fervent penitent 
 spent the remainder of his life in solitude and prayer. 
 During the time of his sojourn, St. Enny and his monks 
 often passed over from Aranmore to visit him, and to solace 
 the hours of his voluntarily-imposed exile. Gregory lived 
 for a long time there, and when old age came on, his 
 declining health warned him that death was near. He sent 
 for the monks of St. Enda, to prepare him for a final 
 departure, and he received at their hands the last rites of 
 the Church. But such was his great humility, that he 
 considered it should be a sort of profanation, to have his 
 remains interred among the saints of Aran ; and he, there- 
 fore, asked as a dying favour, that they should be towed 
 out in a sort of coffin or tub, into the middle of the sound, 
 and there consigned to the deep. In compliance with this 
 request, when his breath departed, and the body was 
 without life, his relics were taken, and placed in the tub, 
 while stones were also added to increase the weight, so as 
 to cause them to sink in the depths of the sound. The 
 monks rowed over towards Killeany, after their work had, 
 as they thought, been consummated. Yet, what must have 
 been their surprise on landing, to find the tub, supposed to 
 have been at the bottom of the ocean, high and dry on the 
 beach, at a place now called Port. Again, they took back 
 the tub or coffin containing Gregory's relics, and sunk it 
 once more in the middle of the sound. On landing, they 
 found a repetition of what had previously occurred. Taking 
 back the remains a third time, these were again sunk in the 
 sound. Yet, on landing that third time, the coffin lay 
 before them on a bank of sand. Astonished at this spectacle, 
 and moved, as it were, by a sudden inspiration, they cried 
 out, — " Iongnadh,iongnadh, adlaicmaois ameasg na naomh." 
 *' A miracle, a miracle, let us bury Gregory among the 
 saints !" The place where his remains lay was not far from 
 the burial ground and church of Killeany, where, even then.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 29 
 
 numbers of holy monks had been interred. A grave was 
 there opened, and in it the body of Gregory., the Recluse, 
 was deposited. 
 
 A green mound, rising amid the drifting white sands, 
 that are often swept by the eastern or southern winds over 
 the burial ground, is yet shown. No family on Aranmore 
 would encroach on this sacred site, while interments are 
 being made among the saints reposing at Killeany, without 
 note or distinction. Solitarily as he had lived, the bones 
 of the penitent Gregory are isolated, on the verge of the 
 burial ground, and his grave has no monument. Yet, still 
 the Aran guide, Derane, and the islanders, point it out to 
 visitors, and tell the romantic story of its occupant. It is 
 somewhat apart from the interesting ruins of old Killeany, 
 which, according to tradition, is the mortuary church of 
 St. Endeus. 
 
 No. X. 
 Cfje ^lacfe fflan's apparition. 
 
 LEGEND OF MUNDREHID, QUEEN's COUNTY. 
 
 "Was never wight that heard that shrilling sound, 
 But trembling feare did feel in every vaine : 
 Three miles it might b^ easy heard arownd, 
 And echoes three answer'd itselfe agayne." 
 
 — Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene, 
 Book i., Canto viii., stanza iv. 
 
 One fine day in summer, after a walk up the southern 
 slopes of Slieve Bloom, in company with some friends, we 
 reached the site of Mundrehid's old ruined church, the 
 walls of which were then nearly level with the ground. 
 The name of this place is derived from the River Men or 
 Mena, which runs near it, and Drehid or Drochid, the Irish 
 denomination for "bridge," which has spanned the stream 
 from times the most remote. The old and lonely cemetery 
 was round it, a few rude headstones studding its surface. 
 The scenery there was truly deserving our admiration. 
 While our friends were resting on the site, and, after taking 
 a few observations, we sat down on the low ruined wall. 
 There about the sixth or seventh century, St. Laisren 
 established his dwelling. On the i6th of September his
 
 30 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 festival is registered in the Irish Calendars. While resting 
 there, we were soon joined by a shepherd, passing by the 
 way, and his name was Ned Feehery. He lived near the 
 place, and being asked for some information regarding it, 
 he communicated very readily the following legend. 
 
 Ever since the old church fell into decay, a Druid had 
 been known to haunt the site. Occasionally he had been 
 seen by the older inhabitants. Before the apparition occurs, 
 a tremendous roar is heard, so that the earth quakes all 
 around. Immediately the ground opens, and then a small 
 black man springs up, covered with armour, and wearing a 
 belt, from which a sword hangs. He draws the sword, and 
 flourishes it over his head. He next races three times 
 around the graveyard, and in a short time he disappears 
 from that spot whence he rose, and sinks under the earth's 
 surface. This strange earthly visitant Ned Feehery declared 
 he had himself once distinctly seen, and towards the dusk 
 of evening. 
 
 The richest fields in Ossory surrounded the church, which 
 once belonged to a monastery on that spot. Near it 
 Gortavoragh and the Friar's Garden — where the peasantry 
 root for money — were pointed out beside the little River 
 Turtawn, which appears to have bounded the monastery 
 fields. Through these, headless coachmen and headless 
 horses driving about the paddocks have been witnessed 1)y 
 people, during the still hours of night. 
 
 Some twenty years later we returned to Mundrehid, but 
 found that the gentleman farmer in possession had not only 
 levelled the large ditches crowned with finely-grown 
 hawthorns, which surrounded the small paddock fields, 
 but even the stones were uprooted from the old foundations 
 in the grave-yard, and the rude head-stones were removed. 
 No trace of a grave now remains, while not a single vestige 
 of the patron's historic home is left. Living memory alone 
 preserves the site. Countless generations of the dead 
 moulder at present under the levelled spot. Thence their 
 bones may be raised by the future antiquary, to attest the 
 position of that disused cemetery. The deed of the Vandal 
 is still reprobated in that neighbourhood ; but the peasants 
 relate, how his desire to open wide pastures as a range for 
 cattle did not prosper according to the full extent of the 
 spoiler's wishes, as many of them were carried off by 
 disease, while the herds of other farmers were spared such 
 a visitation.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 No. XL 
 C5e ^$a'^^ttn'^ Kebenge. 
 
 LEGEND OF THE RIVER DELVIN, COUNTY OF MEATH. 
 
 "From the water smooth ascended, 
 Thither fast their shallop wended ; 
 
 And grouped around they joyous view 
 Glorious beings bright and fair, 
 In clusters standing, smiling there ; 
 Amid their number gladly trace 
 Many a loved and well-known face, 
 Long ago on earth they knew, 
 Mourned as dead, with sorrow true." 
 — Arthur Gerald Geoghegans Jllonks of Kilcrea, 
 The Gleeman's Tale, canto ii., sect. xx. 
 
 A GREAT repertory of Irish folk-lore is the Dinnsheanchus, 
 which professes to account for the origin of names applied 
 to various celebrated places in Ireland. Doubtless it 
 furnishes a record of the most ancient traditions still pre- 
 served. It usually asserts, that the compiler never found it 
 difficult to solve the mystery of those local designations. 
 Without citing any authorities, he sets off with some 
 romantic legend — generally of the pagan times — and as 
 imagination is allowed full play in the narrative, so are we 
 expected to give implicit credence to the romance. There 
 is a good copy of the Dinnsheanchus in the Book of Bally- 
 mote, a well-known manuscript kept in the Royal Irish 
 Academy. It may be premised, that the present River 
 Delvin, which rises in Meath, and which falls into the Irish 
 Channel at Gormanstown, north of Balbriggan, in the 
 County of Dublin, was formerly called in Irish Inbher 
 Ailbine. This is how it got the latter name according to 
 the topographer. 
 
 Long centuries ago, in that part of the country lived a 
 prince, named Ruadh Mac Righduinn, son to the King of 
 Fir-Muiridh, or the people of Muiredh, a plain in Bregia or 
 Meath. He collected a crew for four currachs, to cross 
 the sea, and in order to visit his foster-brother, the son of 
 the King of Lochlann or Scotland. When the sailors 
 reached the middle of the sea, however, they failed to move 
 in any direction, but the currachs stood still, as if held by 
 an anchor. Ruadh then went round that ship in which he
 
 32 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 sailed, to ascertain the cause for such detention. He 
 jumped over its side, and then he went under the tide. 
 There he saw nine women, the fairest of the Nereid race. 
 They were seated in three canoes, each boat holding three 
 of those beauties. They took Ruadh with them, and for a 
 tim.e he was lost to his companions. Those syrens had a 
 charming territory under the waves, and abounding in all 
 manner of delights. 
 
 The prince remained nine nights ; severally one night 
 with each of those Naiads in their submarine land. One 
 of these sea-nymphs became pregnant by him. After that 
 delay he was permitted to depart. However, he promised 
 to visit them on his return, if he could. Ruadh then went 
 to the house of his foster-brother, and remained with him 
 seven years. Then he returned, but he kept not his 
 appointment ; and, having no desire to live under the sea, 
 he arrived at Muiridh. The nine women then went to seek 
 him, and having with them the son that had been born 
 during his absence. They wished to be avenged of the 
 father ; but they met him not, and were denied access to 
 the prince in his palace. Stung with rage and despair, 
 the mother then killed her own and Ruadh's son. After- 
 wards, she flung his head on the shore ; whereupon, all 
 were terrified, and they said, as if with one mouth, " Is oilb 
 bine," " It is an awful crime." Thence came the designa- 
 tion of Inbher Oillbine, or the River Oillbine. 
 
 An old Irish poem of twenty-four stanzas has been com- 
 posed, and it recounts the substance of the foregoing 
 legend. The name of Moymurthy, a manor and chapelry, 
 in the parish of Moorchurch. near Gormanstown, preserved 
 the traditional Muiridh territory down to a late period in 
 the seventeenth century.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 33 
 
 No. XII. 
 Contests of t^e Clans. 
 
 LEGEND OF MULLAGHMAST, COUNTY OF KILDARE. 
 
 " Forget not our wounded companions who stood 
 In the day of distress by our side, 
 While the moss of the valley grew red with their blood, 
 
 They stirred not but conquered and died. 
 The sun that now blesses our arms with his light, 
 
 Saw them fall upon Ossory's plain : 
 Oh ! let him not blush, when he leaves us to-night, 
 To find that they fell there in vain." 
 
 — Moore's Irish Melodies. 
 
 The stories of Irish history are not always as legendary as 
 they are dramatic. Nearly every circumstance of the 
 succeeding epilogue, referring to a memorable period, is 
 not only within the range of probability, but it is vouched 
 lor by contemporaneous record, to be found in the Wars of 
 the Gaedhil and the Gael, edited by the Rev. Dr. James 
 Henthorn Todd, for the Irish Archaeological Society. 
 
 In old Pagan times, by the will of Olioll Olum, King of 
 Munster, this dominion was divided between his two sons 
 Eoghan Mor and Cormac Cas. The former was set over 
 Desmond or South Munster, while the latter was appointed 
 ruler of Thomond or North Munster. It also established 
 an alternate right of supreme rule in their posterity over 
 the whole of Munster. Thus the Eugenians or Desmon- 
 dians were at one period the dominant sept, and the 
 Dalcassians, descended from Cormac Cas, were in succes- 
 sion the supreme rulers. This recognized jurisdiction con- 
 tinued from the third to the eleventh century. Such 
 sequence may be traced through the casual entries to be 
 found in our Irish Annals. 
 
 Towards the close of the tenth century, the Danes had 
 established themselves in some of the maritime strongholds 
 around the coast of Ireland, and had chosen situations at 
 the mouths of harbours and rivers, where arose in due 
 course the chief cities of the Island, There likewise trade 
 and commerce flourished in a remarkable degree for that 
 remote period. Among those cities, Dublin and Limerick 
 were notable. While both were surrounded with strong 
 and high walls ; in the former was established an Irish- 
 
 c
 
 34 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 Scandinavian principality, able not only to guard against 
 any surprise of the native princes, but even to acquire 
 dominion over the Isle of Man, and to maintain a powerful 
 fleet, which ensured obedience and subjection. Moreover, 
 the civilizing influences of Christianity had dispelled the 
 errors of pagan ancestry, and independent alliances had 
 been formed with native Irish chiefs, whose interests and 
 jealousies combined to assure mutual aid and force, when 
 threatened with any encroachment from extern foes. Thus, 
 as the foreigner was strong and secured in his maritime 
 stronghold, the Kings of Leinster were never wholly free 
 from excursions into their exposed domain, unless when in 
 friendly alliance with the Scandinavians. 
 
 The invading Danes had seized upon Limerick much 
 later, and finding its position admirably suited as a port for 
 their vessels, they began their process of settlement in like 
 manner ; but with greater opposition from the king and 
 men of Thomond, who did not choose to have such rivals 
 within their territories. At that time, Mahon was king of 
 Thomond, and his celebrated brother Brien — afterwards 
 known as Borumha or of the Tributes — had waged war 
 successfully with the Danes, had sacked and plundered 
 Limerick, and had rendered the invaders tributaries to 
 them, as a penalty for permission to live there, and to carry 
 on the peaceful pursuits of commerce. The subsequent 
 events are recorded in the pages of Irish history. On the 
 death of Mahon, Brien Boroimhe had already acquired 
 great reputation for his abilities and prowess. He was a 
 renowned warrior, and having advanced his principality to 
 a high degree of supremacy and pretension, among the 
 divisional territories of Ireland, the entire sovereignty was 
 at last detained in a war waged between himself and the 
 monarch Malachy, who was deposed. Then was the chief 
 seat of power transferred from Meath to Thomond. Brien 
 Boroimhe was acknowledged as Ard Righ of Erin, until a 
 quarrel began between himself and Maolmurra, the King 
 of Leinster. 
 
 This was destined to be a war, waged on a gigantic 
 scale, and confederacies were formed on either side. The 
 King of Leinster not only engaged the Danes of Dublin to 
 espouse his quarrel, but messengers were sent to invite 
 large accessions of sea-rovers from Scandinavia to unite 
 their forces. On the other hand the Monarch of Ireland 
 summoned to his aid the chiefs of Ulster, Munster and
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 35 
 
 Connaught ; and with a large army, the aged warrior 
 marched towards Dublin, to meet the Leinstermen and 
 Danes, as also to stem the torrent of invasion expected 
 from the northern shores. However, under renowned 
 leaders, the sea-rovers landed on the Irish shore, and 
 without delay, all his opponents were concentrated on the 
 plains of Clontarf, even before the Monarch of Ireland 
 could draw together all his forces. 
 
 On Good Friday, 1014, a furious battle was fought north 
 of the City of Dublin, and it lasted from morning until 
 night, with desperate courage and determination displayed 
 by the leaders and their clansmen. After dreadful slaughter, 
 in which many of the chiefs and warriors were slain, the 
 victory of the Irish Monarch was complete and decisive. 
 However, it was dearly purchased with his own life, that of 
 his valorous son Murrough, and that of his grandson 
 Turlough, then a mere youth. As nothing could be 
 attempted against those who fled for protection within the 
 walls of Dublin, the command of the Irish army had now 
 devolved on Donough, the only surviving son of Brien 
 Boroimhe. After some little delay, Donough resolved on 
 disbanding his forces — probably the only wise course he 
 could then adopt — and accordingly under their respective 
 chiefs, the men of each territory directed their march 
 homewards, well satisfied that the Leinstermen and Danes 
 were then too demoralized for any further hostile attempt. 
 Besides, the Leinster king and the principal Danish leaders 
 had fallen in battle. 
 
 With greatly diminished force, the Munster bands, under 
 the leadership of Donough O'Brien, took a south-eastern 
 course from Dublin, and marched defiantly through the 
 hostile territory of Leinster. No further opposition seemed 
 to be threatened, and if it were, the army he still commanded 
 was deemed sufficient to cope with it. However, further 
 toil and dangers were to be encountered, before the Munster 
 troops were destined to reach their province ; while divisions 
 and disputes arising in their ranks served to cast a cloud 
 over that glory they had acquired in the late sanguinary 
 engagement. 
 
 After the celebrated Battle of Clontarf, Donogh, son to 
 Giallapatrick, King of Ossory, in conjunction with the men 
 of Leix, formed an encampment on the plain known as 
 Magh Chloinne Ceallaigh — probably around the present 
 Cloney Castle, east of the Barrow River — to oppose the
 
 36 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 Dalcassian troops then returning victorious to Munster. 
 The exact site of that encampment we have now no means 
 for ascertaining. The plain in question is known to have 
 been within the territory of the O'Kellys. Their district 
 also bore the name of Magh Dructain, and it formed one of 
 the dependencies of Leix. 
 
 The position of this armed force barred the passage of 
 the Munster army on their homeward-bound march. P^amt 
 and wearied, the Dalcassians rested at Athy, where they 
 washed their wounds in the River Barrow. Intimation of 
 opposition to be encountered had been conveyed to Donough 
 O'Brien, who commanded the Munster forces. A very 
 short time before this event, and soon after the decisive 
 Battle of Clontarf had been gained, dissensions had broken 
 out among the surviving leaders of the Munstermen. The 
 chiefs of Desmond, taking advantage of the broken state of 
 the Dalcassians, who had lost great numbers in the late 
 battle, put forward a claim to sovereignty in Munster. 
 
 Full of provincial jealousy and rivalry, the dissentient 
 bands had separately marched from Dublin to Mullaghmast, 
 about six miles to the eastward of Athy. Here a very 
 remarkable fort had been erected on a rising ground, while 
 it was enclosed with a high circular rampart, and surrounded 
 by a deep ditch, as if intended for a place of defence and 
 security from invaders. It affords a far-reaching field of 
 vision over all the surrounding country ; and even at 
 present, it forms an attractive object, as hawthorns and 
 other bushes have mantled over its sides, and they serve to 
 shade the beautiful green sward within, to which access is 
 attainable through an opening in the mound. 
 
 Evening had now approached, and the troops wearied 
 with their march resolved on halting for the night. They 
 lighted fires, on which were boiled or roasted the joints of 
 beeves and sheep intended for their meals. However, the 
 Desmondians selected a field for their tents apart from that 
 occupied by the Dalcassians. They formed into hostile 
 camps — Donough O'Brien as chief of the Dalcassians, and 
 Cian the son of Molloy commanding the Desmondians. 
 This latter chieftain sent messengers to Donough demanding 
 hostages, and stating that as the people of Desmond had 
 submitted to Brien Boroimhe and to his brother Math- 
 gamhain, the turn of Munster sovereignty then justly reverted 
 to Cian. But Donough replied, that the Desmondians had 
 ubmitted to his uncle and father by right of conquest, and
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 37 
 
 not in recognition of any alternate right to the throne. 
 Brien had bravely wrested Munster from Danish power, at 
 a time when the chiefs of Desmond submitted to foreign 
 domination and tyranny. He had also established his 
 claim to the throne of Ireland, and owing to his prowess, 
 had proclaimed himself as supreme Monarch. Wherefore, 
 refusing to give hostages, Donough declared his determina- 
 tion of defending with the sword his right to the title of his 
 renowned father. This was regarded as a defiant answer 
 to Cian, who resolved to lead his men forward, and attack 
 the diminished ranks of the Dalcassians. 
 
 Preparations for battle were not neglected on the side of 
 Donough O'Brien. He had ordered the sick and wounded 
 to be placed within the fort of Mullaghmast for protection. 
 But these heroic men refused the inglorious position assigned 
 to them. Filling their wounds with moss, and snatching 
 up arms, they insisted on taking their place among the 
 ranks of warriors. 
 
 Clannishness, more than a sense of enlarged national 
 sentiment, arrayed these combatants in battle line. But, 
 their determination caused the Desmondian troops to hesi- 
 tate ; especially as a subordinate chief, disappointed in his 
 own petty scheme of ambition, refused co-operation in 
 supporting the pretensions of Cian. The Desmondians, 
 thus divided among themselves, again separated into distinct 
 bodies, and then they marched homewards to their respective 
 tribe lands. 
 
 The rumour of this dissension probably reached Donogh 
 MacGiallapatrick, and he must have thought it a favourable 
 opportunity to avenge a private feud and hereditary enmity. 
 The warrior King of Munster had asserted his right to rule 
 over Ossory, which he claimed as a dependency of his 
 kingdom. This claim however was resisted by the dynast 
 of Ossory, but he was unable to defend himself in an 
 independent position by force of arms. As an enemy of 
 Brian Boroimhe, this latter powerful monarch had kept the 
 father of the Ossorian king in captivity for a whole year. 
 
 Having rested for some time, the men of Thomond under 
 Donough O'Brien set out on their march, and crossing the 
 Barrow, their most direct course lay through the plains of 
 northern Ossory. The camp of Donogh MacGiallapatrick 
 was broken up to intercept their homeward-bound course, 
 and according to local tradition, he resolved to bar the 
 Thomondian right of passage near Gortnaclea on the banks
 
 38 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 of the River Nore, which there bounded the Ossorian terri- 
 tory on the western frontier of Leix. Having collected a 
 large army under his immediate command, MacGiallapatrick 
 then thought himself in a position to assume the offensive, 
 and to assert his supremacy. Accordingly with great 
 insolence, he sent ambassadors to demand hostages from 
 Donough O'Brien, or, in other words, to claim the sove- 
 reignty of Munster. These proposals were indignantly 
 rejected, and there the wounded Thomondians again insisted 
 on being led to battle with their comrades. Stakes were 
 driven into the ground, against which the scarred veterans 
 were to lean for support during the time of action. The 
 unwounded soldiers were expected not to abandon them 
 with life, while in this exposed condition. Such determined 
 heroism produced once more its moral effect, and the 
 Ossorians became intimidated, by this amazing valour of 
 the Thomondian battalions. The men of Ossory and of Leix 
 were withdrawn by their leader, and the Eugenians pursued 
 their march. Yet, when all danger had passed over, one 
 hundred and fifty of the war-worn veterans fainted away 
 on that spot, and these soon expired. There likewise they 
 were buried, with few exceptions ; the bodies of some of 
 the most distinguished warriors being borne to their native 
 territories. Thus the remains of the chiefs were interred in 
 the family burial-grounds of their ancestors. 
 
 The march of this valiant body of troops homewards 
 seems to have been right through the level plains of Leix 
 territory, and over the southern slopes of the Sliabh Bloom 
 Mountains, by the old Ballaghmore road, which was the 
 former chief highway between Ossory and Thomond.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 39 
 
 No. XIII. 
 Ct)e (JTaptibe i3iper. 
 
 LEGEND OF KNOCKANEY, COUNTY OF LIMERICK. 
 
 "Amaz'd and curious, 
 The mirth and fun grew fast and furious: 
 The piper loud and louder blew, 
 The dancers quick and quicker flew ; 
 They reel'd, they set, they cross'd, they cleekit, 
 Till ilka carline swat and reekit." 
 
 — Robert Burns" Tarn o Shantcr. 
 
 It is related, that the Irish fairies have a peculiar language 
 of their own, and that it is always used by them in the 
 presence of mortals, who have been abducted to their 
 subterranean abodes. This is extremely difficult to learn, 
 but once it has been acquired by persons there detained, 
 they are expelled from the fairy realm, lest they should 
 know any important secrets regarding the mysterious sprites. 
 Even such belief prevailed formerly in Britain. In the 
 twelfth century a curious story is told by Giraldus Cam- 
 brensis, in his " Itinirarium Kambriae," lib. i., cap. viii., 
 about a boy who was carried off by the fairies to a beautiful 
 region of their own in Wales. Among other matters, on 
 escaping from their dominion, he related certain words 
 they used, very conformable to the Greek idiom, and these 
 words closely resembled the British. Thus when the fairies 
 wanted water, they cried out Yyor ydoriun, rendered in 
 Latin " aquam affer." The learned and somewhat pedantic 
 Archdeacon thence takes occasion to trace a similarity 
 between the Greek word Ydor, which signifies "water," 
 and the British word, Diiiir, having a like meaning. How 
 far this linguistic resemblance might be carried we know 
 not, but a further vocabulary has been supplied ; for when 
 the Welsh fairies required salt, they said Halgein ydorum. 
 Latinised " salem affer," and here again is traced the 
 analogy between Hal, the Greek term for " salt," and the 
 British word Haleyn^ meaning the same thing. After such 
 examples given, Giraldus has a thought, that as the ancestors 
 of the Britons were Trojans, deriving their name from a 
 leader Brutus, who, after the destruction of Troy, abode for 
 some time in Greece ; so it is not wonderful to him that
 
 40 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 many of the old British words, and even the fairy language, 
 may be derived from that classic land. Probably less 
 rational speculations have satisfied the researches of empiri- 
 cal scientists, and fed the superstitious fancies of the 
 multitudes imposed on by them ; however, we have only 
 to deal with romance, and not with strict realism, although 
 in our present narrative rather encroaching on the domain 
 of misty historic Irish traditions. 
 
 At the close of the second and in the beginning of the 
 third century of the Christian era, flourished the renowned 
 King of Munster, OilioU Oluim, from whom many distin- 
 guished families of the south claim descent. He had 
 married Sadhbh or Sabia, daughter to Conn of the Hundred 
 Battles, monarch of Erin. But, the actions of his life, 
 which brought most disgrace upon Oilioll Oluim were the 
 violation of Aine, the beautiful daughter of Ogamuil, whom 
 he had slain. The death of Aine soon followed, and her 
 grave was made on the remarkable elevation called after 
 her, and now known as Knockaney, which gives name to a 
 townland and parish, in the barony of Small County, and 
 in the County of Limerick. The village of Aney occupies 
 a pleasant site on the Commogue River, and not far 
 removed is the beautiful Lough Gur, irregular in outline, 
 but measuring about four miles in circumference. It con- 
 tains one island of about sixty acres, or rather a peninsula, 
 connected with the eastern shore by a causeway. This is 
 called Knock-a-dun or the Fortress Hill ; and when the 
 Desmonds ruled supreme in this part of the country, two 
 strong and square towers defended the most accessible 
 points of approach on the eastern and southern sides. One 
 of those towers is called the Black Castle. Three or four 
 other islets stud the surface of Lough Gur, which is sur- 
 rounded by swelling hills, some of which are rocky, while 
 others are covered wilh rich herbage. 
 
 However, the chief objects of interest for the antiquarian 
 visitor, are the Druidical remains on Knock-a-dun, and 
 extending around the lake for several miles. Three singular 
 stone circles are close to the high road leading from 
 Limerick to Cork. From a roofless old church, on the 
 south shore of Lough Gur, may be seen various stone circles 
 and other massive antiquities, while a long serpentine 
 passage between lines of huge stones leads from the lake's 
 margin to a tract of low ground, which is called the Red 
 Bog. Those remains are associated by the country people
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 4I 
 
 with the Tuatha De Danaan race, and they are tliought 
 still to have relation with the enchantments of those 
 immortal beings, who dwell in subterranean abodes. 
 
 Now, a well-known inhabitant of the place, named 
 Donal O'Grady, happened to be returning home from a 
 wedding party in the neighbourhood, at an early hour one 
 fine summer morning. Considered to rank among the best 
 pipers in Munster, his musical skill had been in requisition 
 the whole of the preceding night, and indeed until the day 
 began to dawn, when the merry dancers were obliged to 
 seek their respective homes. At intervals between the 
 dances and songs, which he accompanied with the union 
 pipes, Donal drained an occasional tumbler of punch and 
 partook of other refreshments, which the pressing instances 
 of the host, hostess, and guests rendered it difficult to 
 decline. Accordingly, his spirits were light enough to 
 throw energy and fantasy combined into the thrilling and 
 lively strains of jigs, reels, and hornpipes that followed one 
 another in rapid succession. For his musical performances 
 he was not only rapturously applauded, but also generously 
 rewarded ; and, at parting, all wished him a good morning 
 and safe home. There he might have arrived in good 
 time, but feeling somewhat wearied as he passed the 
 enchanted rath of Aine, and sitting down to rest for awhile, 
 he yoked on the pipes, when, to keep his hands and elbows 
 in practice, he struck up a joyous reel. 
 
 He had hardly commenced the first bars of " Morieen 
 Ruadh," than looking towards the rath, a door on the 
 embankment suddenly opened. Out rushed a number of 
 liveried pigmy lacqueys, and without more ado, they seized 
 upon Donal O'Grady and his pipes. In the twinkling of 
 an eye, they were whisked within the opening, and bang 
 went the door, while to secure it a bolt was shot into the 
 locker. In mortal fear of what should become of him, 
 Donal was hurried along the passage on the shoulders of 
 the little men. Just at the end, another door flew open, 
 and there a most magnificent sight met his view. A grand 
 hall of vast proportions, and a ceiling of exquisite beauty 
 supported by lofty marble pillars, were lighted by a thousand 
 lamps, which hung over the heads of a fairy throng of men 
 and women, arrayed in the most gorgeous and fantastic 
 costumes. Looking onwards, at the upper part of the hall, 
 and on a throne of state, Donal beheld a lady of exquisite 
 beauty, who wore a gold crown, all in a blaze with diamonds
 
 42 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 and brilliants, holding a reception for the crowds of tiny 
 creatures who flocked to render her obeisance. All were 
 chattering around, but in a language he could not under- 
 stand. However, he heard the name of Aine so frequently 
 repeated, that he guessed the Queen on the throne could 
 be no other personage, especially as she was the object of 
 so much respectful greeting. 
 
 At last it was Donal's turn to be introduced, and the 
 master of the ceremonies, a dapper little gentleman, ap- 
 peared, and led him by the hand to the lowest step of the 
 throne. Not willing to be deficient in manners, but also 
 ignorant of the etiquette practised in courts, he had noticed 
 how gracefully the fairy lords and ladies had approached 
 and retired, the men bowing very low, and the women 
 courtesying almost to the ground, then kissing the Queen's 
 right hand, and afterwards backing out with repeated bows 
 and courtesies, until lost behind the groups still advancing. 
 However, fearing he might too awkwardly imitate those 
 court manoeuvres, when Donal O'Grady appeared before 
 the throne, taking off his straw hat, with the left hand, and 
 puUing down the front lock of hair on his forehead with 
 the right, he gave a quick jerk with the right knee, bending 
 the left, and in such a fashion as made the fairy courtiers 
 giggle and titter. Donal was not a little annoyed at these 
 indications of what he thought to be bad manners ; but, 
 when the Queen graciously held out her hand and smiled 
 benignantly, he also kissed it, and all his rising resentment 
 was quickly appeased, especially as Aine said something in 
 fairy language to the High-Chamberlain, and pointed to the 
 pipes of Donal O'Grady, which during the presentation he 
 had slung over his shoulder. 
 
 Soon the Master of Ceremonies waved a white wand, 
 when all the fairy lords and ladies retired to the elegant 
 cushioned seats prepared for them. Making a signal to 
 Donal, he was led to a chair. Then the pipes were 
 removed from his shoulders, and placed on his knee. He 
 understood what was required of him, and observing the 
 Queen giving her hand to some favoured gentleman, while 
 other fairy lords began to select their partners, Donal set 
 the pipes in motion, and finding the couples ranged in two 
 long lines, he supposed they desired to have a sprightly 
 country dance. He began to think what tune he might 
 best select for their gratification. At last, Donal deemed 
 the *• Fairy Dance" not inappropriate. The moment he
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 43 
 
 began to play, nothing but glee and merriment passed along 
 the vis-a-vis lines of ladies and gentlemen. The Queen 
 and her partner with the foremost couples led off, and soon 
 the mazes of the dance were executed by the various couples 
 in succession, to the evident delight of the performers, and 
 to the great admiration of their musician, as afterwards he 
 narrated this unique experience in his life. Donal observed, 
 that all the fairy gentlemen he saw there, although finely 
 dressed, were little wizened creatures, their faces old-looking, 
 covered with wrinkles, and ugly as sin, while their bodies 
 and limbs were for all the world like those of "Daddy 
 Long Legs,'' the beetle or cockatrice so well known to the 
 country people. In like manner, the ladies in the matter 
 of charms greatly resembled their lords ; all, with the 
 single exception of Queen Aine, who was the greatest 
 beauty Donal's eyes ever beheld. Having danced a variety 
 of jigs and reels, alternating with the country dances, all 
 seemed to be well satisfied. At a signal given, the Queen 
 and all the dancers then filed before Donal O'Grady, with 
 smiles of approval and with graceful salutes. Afterwards 
 they suddenly vanished, and the lights were all extinguished. 
 The imprisoned piper was then left alone in complete 
 darkness, and there abandoned to his own disconsolate 
 reflections. 
 
 Willingly would Donal make his escape from his subter- 
 ranean prison, but on groping about, he could not find that 
 passage, through which he had been carried. Moreover, 
 he knew that even if it were discovered, the bolt and lock 
 had been too fastly secured to admit of outlet through the 
 door by which he had entered. Hours had passed over in 
 this forlorn state. After some time, however, he could 
 observe the fairies flitting through the hall, and jabbering 
 to one another, but he found it was not Irish — which he 
 could understand — that they spoke. At last, all the fairy 
 men seemed to congregate in military array, and mounted 
 on tiny steeds, as if bent on some outdoor expedition. A 
 dim light began to open also on their movements. Donal 
 saw the chief draw out at the head of his cavalcade and 
 approach the door, through which himself had been ushered 
 into that apartment. Then raising his sword, the fairy 
 leader shouted out, " Tatther Rura," and every one of his 
 warriors repeated " Tatther Rura." Immediately the door 
 opened, all rushed out through the passage. The door 
 again closed behind them.
 
 44 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 The imprisoned piper had now learned the fairies' pass- 
 word, and when their sounds were lost in the distance, he 
 also cried out, " Tatther Rura." The door at once opened, 
 and the passage was found to be clear to the outer entrance, 
 the cavalcade having disappeared, and bound on their 
 distant expedition. Again. Donal shouted "Tatther Rura," 
 and the door flew open, so that he was enabled to rush out, 
 and gaze once more on the scenes around Knockaney. He 
 deemed it thus fortunate to have learned the meaning of 
 two words of the Tuatha De Danaan or fairy language, and 
 which were of such practical utility to him. Gathering the 
 pipes under his arm, he joyfully hastened homewards. For 
 many a long day, Donal O'Grady was enabled to narrate 
 his extraordinary presentation to Queen Aine and her 
 courtiers, on the frequent recurrence of fairs, christenings, 
 weddings, and country parties, where his admirable chaunter 
 performances were in such general requisition. 
 
 No. XIV. 
 CTI^c ^rist^a Discomfitetr. 
 
 LEGEND OF DRUMSNA, COUNTY OF MONAGIIAN. 
 
 " The savage foe escaped, to seek again 
 More hospitable shelter from the main ; 
 The ghastly spectres that were doom'd at last 
 To tell a>; true a tale of dangers past 
 As ever the dark annals of the deep 
 Disclosed for man to dread or woman weep." 
 
 — Lord George Gordon Noel Byron's Island^ 
 Canto i., sect. ix. 
 
 Hardly any deep lake in Ireland is without the occupancy 
 of an uncouth monster, seldom seen on the surface, but 
 often observed in motion, far down in the depths of the 
 water. Imagination is frequently exercised by the peasantry, 
 to divine its exact form, which is supposed to differ in 
 species from that of any known denizen of the deep ; and 
 mystery shrouding its functions, the Peistha is dreaded as 
 a malignant demon, always bent upon mischief, and 
 especially towards the human race. The boatmen cast
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 45 
 
 many a furtive glance downwards, to see that it approach 
 not within stroke of their oars, as they greatly desire to 
 give it a wide berth. Any provoked hostility on their part 
 is apt to procure a dangerous retaliation ; and in his fre- 
 quented waters, the Peistha is believed to Idc master of the 
 situation. 
 
 At one time St. Molua, who travelled much through 
 Ireland on his mission of founding churches, visited the 
 ancient Drunisneachta, now Drumsna, in the County of 
 Monaghan. In a neighbouring lake, he saw two boys 
 swimming. But, advancing on them, and with a fore- 
 front large as a boat of considerable size, appeared the 
 monster of that lake, as if about to devour them. Not 
 wishing to terrify the boys, he shouted to them : " Swim, 
 iny boys, with all speed towards me, so that I may reward 
 the one who shall first arrive, and that I may know who 
 will swim the fastest." Both struck out towards him, and 
 soon gained the shore. No sooner had they landed, than 
 Molua reached them his hand. Having landed safely, 
 they looked back towards the lake, and were greatly 
 frightened at seeing the monster, which had almost gained 
 upon them. Immediately the saint raising his staff struck 
 the Peistha with it on the breast, and it gave a terrific roar. 
 Filled with excitement and alarm, one of the boys died on 
 the instant. However, the holy man prayed for him, and 
 afterwards he came to life. But, a malison he pronounced 
 on the Water Sherrie, ordering it to return and to remain 
 under the waters of that lake. Thenceforward it was con- 
 demned never to molest man or beast to the Day of 
 Judgment.
 
 46 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 No. XV. 
 
 ^fit iLeinster ^Tritute. 
 
 LEGEND OF TARA, COUNTY OF MEATH. 
 
 " When t3?rants scourge or demagogues embroil 
 A land, or when the rabble's headlong rage 
 Order transforms to anarchy and spoil, 
 Deep-versed in man the philosophic sage 
 Prepares with lenient hand their frenzy to assuage. 
 
 ""Tis he alone, whose comprehensive mind, 
 From situation, temper, soil, and clime 
 Explored, a nation's various powers can bind, 
 And various orders, in one form sublime 
 Of polity, that, midst the wrecks of time. 
 Secure shall lift its head oa high, nor fear 
 Th' assault of foreign or domestic crime, 
 While public faith and public love sincere, 
 And industry and law maintain their sway severe." 
 
 — James Beattie's Minstrel, Book ii. 
 
 It is indeed a shameful story to relate, how the pagan 
 king of Leinster, Eochaidh Aincheann, visited the monarch 
 Tuathal the Legitimate at Tara, a.d. io6, and married his 
 daughter Dairine, whom he brought to Leinster, and lived 
 with her for some time. Afterwards, he became enamoured 
 of her sister, who remained at Tara ; when, full of perfidy, 
 on returning there he immured poor Dairine in a dungeon, 
 and then spread the report that she was dead. Some time 
 elapsed, when he asked her sister in marriage, and the 
 father having given his consent, the princess was brought 
 to Leinster. However, Dairine contrived to escape from 
 her prison, and then she appeared in the presence both of 
 her husband and of her sister, to reproach the former with 
 his baseness and atrocity. Having thus seen Dairine, and 
 owing to the shock, her later espoused sister fell dead on 
 the spot, for she thought Dairine to have been dead. Such 
 event however was not long deferred. The injured Dairin^ 
 pined away, and died of a broken heart. The true state of 
 things soon readied Tuathal, who vowed by all his gods, 
 that he would take signal vengeance on the king of 
 Leinster. For the vices of the dynast, as usual in such 
 cases, his people were destined to suffer ; for their whole 
 province was ravaged and burned, when the monarch 
 marched with a large army into Leinster. Nor did he
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 47 
 
 desist until he had utterly subdued their king, who was 
 slain ; and afterwards, Tuathal imposed on the people, for 
 ever, that oppressive tax known as the Borumha-Laighean, 
 or " Leinster Tribute," which had to be paid triennially. 
 This led to repeated periodical and sanguinary conflicts 
 between the Leinster kings and people, who sought its 
 remission, and the monarchs of Ireland, who insisted on its 
 enforcement. These quarrels continued from the time of 
 Tuathal to that of Finnachta Fleadhach or the Festive, 
 who reigned over Ireland in the latter half of the seventh 
 century, and who lived contemporaneously with St. Moling 
 of Teach-Moling. 
 
 The latter was a holy man, and he had great influence, 
 not alone among the Leinster people, but also with the 
 Irish monarch. The former assembled at a convention 
 with their king Bran, and requested Moling, with some 
 other deputies, to set out for Tara, there to represent the 
 oppressiveness and injury of that tribute to the monarch. 
 This mission they undertook to accomplish ; but the sequel 
 shows, that the negotiation was hardly creditable to any of 
 the chief parties concerned. St. Moling was a famous Irish 
 poet, and, knowing that a prelude of panegyric must be 
 acceptable to the festive Finnachta, he composed his cele- 
 brated Song of Praise, beginning with the line " Finnachta 
 a hiiib Neill." However, there was another celebrated — 
 but a very envious — poet named Tollcend in his train, and 
 the latter wished to outshine the bishop in the Royal Court 
 at Tara. 
 
 The whole company then set out, and came to the house 
 of Cobthach mac Colman, where a feast was made for them. 
 Meanwhile, the poet's attendants remonstrated with him 
 for holding a subordinate position in the train of the clerics. 
 " Why then," said the poet, "let us leave the clerics, and 
 g(i on to the house of the king." When they arrived, the 
 "man of song" recited the Hymn of Praise before the 
 king, and said he had composed it himself. When Moling 
 reached the king's fortress on the following day, the king's 
 son had just met his death by an accidental shot in hunting. 
 Finnachta thereupon inquired the cause for the great 
 lamentation that was being made. The saint had to com- 
 municate to him the sad news. Filled with anguish, yet 
 with great faith, Finnachta cried out, "Awake the youth, 
 O cleric ! and thou shalt have thy reward." " I ask," 
 said Moling, " for my song, and for the awakening of thy
 
 48 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 son, and for heaven to be obtained by thyself, no other boon 
 than the remission of the B6rtiinha until Liian," which has 
 lor meaning Monday. " It shall be thine," said the king. 
 So Moling bound him by the Trinity and by the Four 
 Gospels, and then he sang the Song of Praise. 
 
 As the king had heard it before, he charged Moling with 
 falsely claiming to be the author of a poem, that had been 
 made for him by the poet Tollcend. The saint calmly 
 replied : " If it was he that made it, let him arise and recite 
 his poem." So the poet rose up before him, and, being 
 confused, this is what he said: " Dribor drdbor cerca is 
 c^bail," etc. After delivering himself of this unmeaning 
 rubbish, the unfortunate poet ran away like a madman, and 
 drowned himself. When Finnachta saw such a proof of 
 the saint's truth and power, the monarch fell at his feet, 
 besought Moling to awake his son, and promised that he 
 should get whatever he had come to demand. Thereupon 
 St. Moling arose, and placed himself at the head of the 
 youth ; he then prayed the Lord fervently, so that for sake 
 of Moling the Almighty restored to life the king's son. 
 
 Now in the engagement given, the Irish monarch merely 
 promised to stay the levying of the Leinster tribute for one 
 natural day and night, which St. Moling, by a kind of 
 logic not very intelligible, interpreted to mean y^r ever; 
 for, by a singular use of the ambiguous Irish word Ltian — 
 which means Monday, as also the Day of Judgment — in his 
 covenant with the monarch, Moling had desired to abolish 
 this exorbitant tribute, not till Monday, as the monarch 
 understood, but till the Day of Judgment, as the saint 
 intended. 
 
 However, it would seem, that such equivocation origi- 
 nated in the fanciful brain of the author of the Borumean 
 Laighaen, who displays his own and not St. Moling's 
 morality, in the many strange incidents and dull inventions, 
 with which he embellishes the simple events of history. 
 
 Moling then journeyed southwards to Leinster, with his 
 good news regarding the remission of the Borumha. Now, 
 Moling had promised heaven to Finnachta before he left 
 Tara. But Finnachta conceived, that Moling had deceived 
 him in the term used, and he said to his people: "Go in 
 pursuit of that holy man, who has gone away from me, and 
 say to him that I have given respite for the B6rumha to 
 him only for one day and one night ; moreover, methinks 
 the holy man has deceived me, since there is but one day
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 49 
 
 and one night in the whole world." But, when Moling 
 knew that they were coming in pursuit of him, he ran 
 actively and hastily until he reached his own house at 
 Teach- Moling. The people of the king sent from Tara 
 did not come up to him at all, and then had to return, after 
 vainly trying to overtake him. However, the Borumha 
 was forgiven to Moling from that time until the Day of 
 Judgment. Although Finnachta was sorry for losing his 
 tribute, he was not able to levy it ; since it was for the sake 
 of obtaining heaven the king had granted its remission. 
 
 At this period, the celebrated St, Adamnan was in 
 Ireland. Contrary to the will of this latter great personage, 
 who wished that the Leinstermen should pay tribute to the 
 race of Tuathal for ever, Moling's sanctity prevailed against 
 the desires of Tuathal and his aristocratic relative Adamndn, 
 Abbot of lona. It has been asserted, it was owing to the 
 anger of Adamndn at this remission of the Borumha, that 
 the men of Ireland went in pursuit of St. Moling. He 
 thereupon implored the protection of God and the saints in 
 a celebrated poem, beginning, "A mo chomdiu cumactach," 
 etc., which he composed while running away at lull speed. 
 
 Notwithstanding Finnachta's promise, the Abbot of lora, 
 who was a resolute character and somewhat of a courtier, 
 resolved on seeing the monarch, who did not care to be 
 disturbed about that question. Accompanied by a cleric, 
 Adamn^n presented himself before the gates of the royal 
 palace at Tara. He then sent the cleric in, to demand an 
 audience from the monarch. When the servant brought 
 this message, the king was displeased — for he was a good- 
 natured soul, — and he cried out : " I wish Adamnan was 
 at Jericho, or even minding his own affairs at lona ; but, as 
 a matter of courtesy and court etiquette, we cannot refuse 
 admittance to his chaplain." Accordingly, the latter was 
 ushered into the royal presence. Finnachta was then 
 engaged playing chess. " Come to converse with Adamndn," 
 said the cleric. " I will not, until this game is finished," 
 said Finnachta. The cleric returned to Adamnan, and told 
 him the answer of Finnachta. *'Go thou to him and say 
 to him, that I shall sing fifty psalms during that time, and 
 there is a psalm among that fifty, in which I shall pray the 
 Lord that a son or grandson of his, or a man of his name, 
 may never assume the sovereignty of Erin."' The cleric 
 accordingly went and told that threat to Finnachta ; how- 
 ever, the king took no notice, but played at his chess till 
 
 D
 
 50 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 the game was finished. " Come to converse with Adamndn, 
 O Finnachta," said the cleric. " I will not go," said 
 Finnachta, "till this next game is finished." The cleric 
 returned and told this to Adamndn. ' ' Say unto him," replied 
 Adamndn, " that I will sing fifty psalms during that time, 
 and that there is a psalm among that fifty, in which I will 
 ask and beseech the Lord to shorten his life." The cleric 
 told this to Finnachta ; still he took no notice of it, but 
 played away at his chess till the game was again finished. 
 "Come to converse with Adamnan," said the cleric. "I 
 will not," said Finnachta, " till the third game is finished." 
 The cleric once more repeated to Adamndn the answer of 
 Finnachta. " Go to him," said Adamndn, greatly incensed, 
 " and tell him that I will sing the third fifty psalms, and 
 there is a psalm in that fifty, in which I will beseech the 
 Lord that he may not obtain the kingdom of heaven." 
 When Finnachta heard this, he suddenly put away the 
 chess-board from him, and he came to Adamndn. The 
 latter said, "What has brought thee to me now, and why 
 didst thou not come at the other messages?" "What 
 induced me to come," said Finnachta, "were those threats 
 which thou didst hold forth to me, viz., that no son or 
 grandson of mine should ever reign, and that no man of my 
 name should ever assume the sovereignty of Erin, and that 
 I should have shortness of life. Still. I deemed these 
 threats to be light ; but, when thou didst engage to take 
 heaven from me, I then came suddenly, because I could 
 not endure such a privation." "Is it true," said Adamndn. 
 " that the Borumha was remitted by thee for a day and a 
 night to Moling?" "It is true," returned Finnachta. 
 "Thou hast been deceived," said Adamniln, "for this is 
 the same as to remit it for ever." Then he went on 
 scolding the monarch, and bitterly he sung in Irish this lay, 
 as translated into English : — 
 
 To-day though they bind the locks of the white-haired, 
 
 toothless king, 
 The cows which he forgave to Moling, are due to a wiser 
 
 head : 
 If I were Finnachta, and that I were Chief of Teamhair 
 
 [Tara], 
 Never would I forgive the tribute. I would not do what 
 
 he has done.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 5I 
 
 Of every king who remits not his tribute, long shall the 
 
 stories remain. 
 Woe to him, who gave this respite ! To the weak it is 
 
 sorrow. 
 Thy wisdom has ended and given way to folly." 
 
 However, Adamndn concluded this poem by paying a 
 tribute of praise to St. Moling's virtues ; and Finnachta 
 made a very humble submission to the Abbot of lona, by 
 placing his head on the holy man's bosom. This was an 
 act of humility very acceptable to the renowned archiman- 
 drite. Wherefore, Adamn^n was reconciled to the remission 
 of the Borumha. and he departed from Tara, blessing its 
 religious monarch. 
 
 No. XVI. 
 
 .•iFitt=mac=€:oors ^tonestttoto. 
 
 LEGEND OF THE CLOUGH-MOR, COUNTY OF DOWN. 
 
 " Hanc, ut prona jugo laevum incumbebat ad amnen, 
 Dexter in adversum nitens concussit, et imis 
 Avulsum solvit radicibus ; inde repente 
 Impulit: impulsu quo maximus insonat aether." 
 
 — P. Virgilii Maronis yEnetdos, 
 Lib. viii., 11. 236 to 239. 
 
 "The leaning head hung threatening o'er the flood, 
 And nodded to the left. The hero stood 
 Averse, with planted feet, and, from the right, 
 Tugged at the solid stone with all his might. 
 Thus heaved, the fixed foundations of the rock 
 Gave way ; heaven echoed at the rattling shock." 
 
 — Dryden's Virgil's y^neis. 
 Book viii., U. 311 to 316. 
 
 Not far away from but high over the romantic town of 
 Rosstrevor rises the great hill of Clough-mor, one of the 
 Mourne range of mountains. Upon a projecting cliff, 
 nearly midway up the ascent, is to be seen a huge mass of 
 granite, weighing over thirty tons, as has been estimated. 
 Naturalists and geologists have wasted their speculations in 
 vain, to account for its present isolated position ; for, it
 
 52 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 rests only on a pivot, and it seems ready to roll off at any 
 moment to a lower station. It has been noticed, that it 
 can hardly he a contribution from any of the neighbouring 
 heights, lor the greater elevations are at a considerable 
 distance, while a valley of some depth and space intervenes. 
 What forms a mystery for the geologist and natural philoso- 
 pher, however, is a matter easy of solution to the people 
 who live near. 
 
 The renowned giant Fin-mac-Cool — the strongest man 
 then living — had been visited at a time remote by a Scotch 
 giant of great size and strength. A controversy arose 
 between them, as to their relative prowess, when it was 
 resolved that two great fragments of rock, which lay near 
 Carlingford, on the opposite side of the bay, and which 
 were of nearly equal size, should be lifted from their places, 
 and cast over the sea beneath. A large bet was pending 
 on the result. They flirew up a halfpenny for the choice of 
 stone, and the Scotch giant won the toss. Of course, he 
 selected that one he deemed to be lighter of the two. 
 Poising it on his right hand and swaying his body, he put 
 forth all his strength ; but, he was unable to send the frag- 
 ment of rock to the opposite shore, and it fell into the sea. 
 Now came P'inn's turn. He took up the remaining and 
 larger fragment, and then with great ease, he was not only 
 able to clear the strait, but to land it high and dry on the 
 cliffs beyond, where, as the Clough-mor, it still remains an 
 evidence of his superior strength.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 53 
 
 No. XVII. 
 
 LEGEND OF TIMOGUE, QUEEN'S COUNTY. 
 
 " Thou thing of mystery, stern and drear, 
 Thy secrets who hath told ? — 
 The warrior and his sword are there. 
 The merchant and his gold. 
 
 There lie their myriads in thy pall, 
 
 Secure from steel and storm ; 
 And he the feaster on them all, 
 
 The canker-worm." 
 
 — Rev. George Croly's Island of Atlantis. 
 
 There can be no question but that historical and traditional 
 stories are strangely woven together, and v;ith many tangles 
 of net-work, in the fireside narratives of our peasantry. 
 These regarding Timogue old church, and the castle which 
 formerly stood near it, are examples of fact and fiction, it 
 should prove difficult at present to unravel. Although of 
 comparatively modern erection and architecturally of a 
 debased style, the church seems to rise on the ruins of an 
 earlier structure ; for on the exterior, the grass-covered 
 graves, and rude heading stones, noteless of inscriptions, 
 rise nearly to the sills of the windows, owing to the accumu- 
 lation of mouldering human remains that have been deposited 
 under earth, so frequently re-opened in the well-known 
 family burial-plots, for centuries long past. Those first 
 entombed there are unrecorded in documents, and not 
 remembered in traditions. All over the cemetery — a 
 popular place for interments — flag-tombs, half hidden in 
 the mould, or head-stones sinking deeper into it each year, 
 are interspersed with the furrows showing where the latest 
 graves had been opened and sodded over, while crowned 
 with a luxurious crop of grass and weeds. Solitude has 
 settled round the site by day ; and night adds to it a still 
 deeper gloom. 
 
 At some short distance from the declivity, a bright stream, 
 taking its course from the Luggarcurran hills, meanders 
 over its bed. strewn with smoothed rocks, and innumerable 
 pebbles of nearly every variety of shape and hue. Near the 
 high-road stood the former castle, where, it is stated, the
 
 54 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 O'Kellys, the Fitzgeralds, and the Byrnes held sway in 
 succession. Numerous are the tales of massacre and usur- 
 pation which built up the later inheritance, and of fraud 
 united with cruelty, that rooted out the original possessors, 
 clansmen of the O'Moores. Reprisals were the consequence ; 
 nor are the traditions at all inconsistent with a lawless 
 state of society which prevailed but a few centuries back, 
 and which preserves for the present age many romantic 
 episodes of family history. 
 
 During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the Castle of 
 Moret, adjoining the Great Heath of Maryborough, was 
 sacked and burned by the Irish. It was then occupied by 
 Gerald Fitzgerald, married to a daughter of the detested 
 John Bowen, the ShaitJi a-Fiecha ot Ballyadams Castle, 
 which still remains in a good state of preservation. His 
 life, and probably that of his wife, was forfeited on this 
 occasion ; however this be, the remains of both lie within 
 a vault of the church, as a marble monument, with an 
 inscription and armorial bearings on it, still certifies. The 
 children of Sir Gregory Byrne, an army contractor during 
 the reign of King Charles IL, and a person of much 
 celebrity at that time, formed family alliances with the 
 Fitzgeralds of Timogue. The inscriptions on their flagstone 
 tombs within the church, and yet legible, indicate their 
 respective names and relationship. However, no trace of 
 their castle now exists ; the proprietorship of their lands 
 has passed to other occupants ; the old flour-mill, a later 
 erection, is in ruins on the river bank beside that bridge 
 over which the road leads, and under the arches of which 
 the stream gurgles. But weird stories were told of goblins 
 that haunted that neighbourhood, and especially of melan- 
 choly groans that were heard from the churchyard during 
 the still hours of night ! 
 
 Late in the last century, the trade in wool was very 
 considerable in the midland counties of Ireland, and a 
 revival of home manufactures caused a brisk demand for 
 fleeces, which were brought in packs by the shepherd 
 farmers to certain established fairs for sale. On one of 
 those occasions, a wool-comber and his driver of the cart, 
 on which the well-stuffed wool-packs had been placed, were 
 returning from the fair of Ballynakill, and rather belated, 
 they were approaching the old graveyard of Timogue, which 
 was observed on their right with the high wall surrounding 
 it on the roadside. The night was dark and stormy ; the
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 55 
 
 witching hour for goblins stalking abroad had come ; nor 
 was it pleasant to trudge the miry way ; when suddenly, a 
 blaze of fire shot up from the graveyard within the wall, in 
 which a breach seemed to yawn wider each moment, until 
 at length it opened for several yards. Then followed a 
 loud rumbling noise, while a black coach, with a coachman 
 and four headless horses, was observed rolling out towards 
 the road, to the horror of the unprotected travellers. 
 Nevertheless, as the urgency of fear was uppermost, and as 
 flight towards the bridge and their homeward-bound course 
 was instinctive, the driver and his master jumped on the 
 cart, the former raised his whip, and the horse, in like 
 manner seized with terror, bounded forward. Nearer and 
 nearer the unearthly equipage seemed to gain upon them ; 
 louder and louder arose the rereward clattering of hoofs 
 and the rolling of wheels. Petrified with fright, the fugitives 
 ventured to look behind, and they beheld one of the most 
 diabolical countenances it could be possible to imagine 
 looking out of the coach, and with a mouth grinning from 
 ear to ear, as if gloating over the idea of seizing the 
 fugitives. 
 
 Agonized beyond endurance at this awful spectacle, the 
 driver and his companion screamed out with all their might; 
 but they had already reached the crowning arch of the 
 bridge, where the water beneath proved to be their safe- 
 guard, and a barrier over which the demon coach could not 
 pass. Suddenly it stopped short ; then turned back ; by 
 degrees, the sounds of horses' feet and rolling wheels grew 
 fainter, as that apparition vanished in the distance. Such 
 was the story as narrated to the writer, now many long 
 years ago.
 
 56 IRISH LOCAL LLGENDS. 
 
 No. XVIII. 
 ^te iSIesselJ CTrouts. 
 
 LEGEND OF THE THREE WELLS, COUNTY OF WICKLOW. 
 
 "And while night, noon, or morning meal no other plenty brings, 
 No beverage than the water-draught from old spontaneous springs ; 
 They, sure, may deem them holy wells, that yield from day to day, 
 One blessing which no tj'rant hand can taint, or take away."' 
 
 — John Eraser's Holy Wells. 
 
 In a wild and romantic region of Wicklow County, in the 
 parish of Ballykine, and taking its rise from the southern 
 slope of Macreddin Mountain, a bright and lively stream 
 flows into the Aughrim River. Near its source are the 
 Three Wells, from which the townland takes its name; and 
 the peasantry around have numberless stories of fairies, that 
 are frequently seen in troops haunting the hills and valleys 
 along the course of the Sheeanamore rivulet, which unites 
 its waters with the stream already mentioned. The word 
 Sheeanamore signifies the "big fairy hills," as indicating 
 the existence of mounds and raths of considerable size in 
 that place. Moreover, not far apart is the Fairies' Hollow, 
 and we may suppose this to have been one of their haunts, 
 when imagination had freer scope than at present. How- 
 ever, we must leave for others the subjects to be drawn 
 from those local features, and confine our attention to the 
 following topic. 
 
 In the Three Wells are to be seen the ubiquitous Blessed 
 Trouts : two in each well, and these are supposed to have 
 lived there a charmed life and from time immemorial. 
 Again the people say, they are destined to remain in those 
 wells until the Day of Judgment. What is most remarkable 
 in their case, the number seen is never greater and never 
 less. To capture or injure those beautiful creatures should 
 be deemed an act of profanation, which the country people 
 would regard with detestation and horror. Nor do we find 
 the lilessed Trout confined to this particular place in 
 Ireland ; for wherever there are clear pools of water, from 
 or through which flow purling streams, the peasantry are 
 quite ready to aver, that the immortal fishes are to be found 
 disporting themselves in the water, or sometimes hiding 
 beneath the banks, when mortals approach to look on their
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 57 
 
 gambols. We have not been able to ascertain if this belief 
 has come down to us as formed in Pagan times, when our 
 ancestors held that there were tutelary spirits of the hills 
 and streams, or whether in Christian times the pilgrims 
 who resorted to the holy wells had a veneration for all 
 those sportive fishes that were seen or contained in them. 
 But, the stories told of the Blessed Trout are very numerous, 
 and universally diffused throughout all parts of our island. 
 
 No. XIX. 
 
 iBistakcn Clientitj.'. 
 
 LEGEND OF SANDYMOUNT, COUNTY OF DUBLIN. 
 
 "Omne tulit punctum qui miscult utile dulci, 
 Lectorem delectando, pariterque monendo." 
 — Quintus Horatius Flaccus, 
 
 De Arte Poetica, 11. 343, 344, 
 
 " Who useful truth with pleasing fancy blends 
 Delights the reader, and his thought extends 
 To wisdom's goal, while gained, such objects he defends.'' 
 — English Translation. 
 
 The tram-cars and railroad conduct the citizens of Dublin 
 in short time to the sea-side village of Sandymount. and 
 thither many repair on Sundays and Holydays to enjoy a 
 pleasant ramble over the winding and umbrageous roads, 
 skirted with handsome villas, or to have a delightful stroll 
 over the far extending strand, when the tide is full out, to 
 inhale the balmy ozone of the Irish Channel. The odori- 
 ferous water and air exhalations of the Liffey, confined by 
 the long South-sea Wall to a northern course of fully three 
 miles from the Point of Ringsend to Poolbeg Lighthouse, 
 there undergoes a process of purification in the briny 
 waves of ocean. Besides the crowd of grown pedestrians, 
 who are able to advance very leisurely for three or four 
 miles after the ebb tide, without soiling the sole of a shoe, 
 and to retreat in like manner before the returning flow ; 
 groups of little children with their nurses are to be seen, 
 exercising their wooden toy shovels, and busily engaged in
 
 58 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 searching out the numerous tiny mounds of blue sand, 
 certain indications of the cockle bedded beneath, and soon 
 to be unearthed by the least intelligent and smallest of 
 juveniles. A few years back, the fore-shore was lined with 
 bathing boxes, to many of which ponies and donkeys were 
 yoked, and from those boxes the bathers waded far out into 
 any chosen stage of water for a swim or a dabble, as the 
 case might be ; while many humble servitors, men and 
 women, earned a comfortable and honest livelihood, owing 
 to attentions and civility always readily afforded to their 
 patrons. In his baby days, the illustrious and inimitable 
 bard of Erin, Tom Moore, was accustomed to take his 
 morning dip in the shallow tide-waves. At that time, a 
 considerable stretch of green fields — now encroached upon 
 by houses — ran between Sandymount and Dublin, and the 
 roads in the suburbs were infested by footpads. One of 
 these had demanded a gentleman's purse, and received in 
 exchange a pistol shot which left him dead on the road-side. 
 Early in the morning, returning from Sandymount to 
 Dublin, us related in his Diary — Tom Moore and his uncle 
 found the dead robber lying beside the road, and he had 
 been shot just under the eye, there being no other mark 
 than the small hole through which the bullet had entered. 
 An old woman who was present, moved to pity, and 
 doubtless admiring the fine features of the dead, cried out, 
 " It was the blessing of God it didn't hit his eye," for she 
 imagined it must have concerned the robber, to present the 
 appearance of a pretty corpse after that untoward accident. 
 Not alone towards the close of the last century, but far 
 later in the present, Sandymount and Irishtown were gay 
 and stirring villages, especially during the Summer and 
 Autumn season. Crowds of people f^rom the provinces 
 were sure to engage in advance and occupy the various 
 lodging-houses near the strand for the benefit of sea-bathing. 
 The working and middle-class people of Dublin, before the 
 Omnibus and Tram-car service ran, had found a number of 
 the Sandymount outside car-drivers lobbing for fares at 
 College Green, and the " two-penny" drive was a favourite 
 one, when a party of six could be collected at once. If 
 otherwise, the jarvey was sure to wait until his number was 
 completed, and this was not easily obtained on ordinary 
 days of the week, so that the tide was often out before a 
 start would be made. The hot-water baths at Cranfield's 
 establishment were always beset with a number of expec-
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 59 
 
 tants for a turn on warm days ; while their time and 
 patience were often sorely tried, before all the waiters could 
 be accommodated. That building has since gone to ruin, 
 yet not for want of patronage, could the baths have been 
 extended or otherwise suitably provided. 
 
 From the foreshore, likewise, the bathing boxes, which 
 had garnished it for centuries, have been removed during 
 the last few years, thus depriving the general public of a 
 healthful and popular resource during the warm days of 
 Summer and Autumn. This is how it happened. The 
 Pembroke Township Commissioners, having procured Par- 
 liamentary powers of jurisdiction over the strand, and 
 having in view the construction of Public Baths and a 
 Promenade Pier, resolved on the destruction of the private 
 bathing boxes, and issued a decree for their removal. This 
 very naturally created great indignation and remonstrance 
 among the inhabitants of Irishtown, Ringsend and Sandy- 
 mount ; more especially, among those industrious people, 
 whose prescriptive rights and means of livelihood were thus 
 unjustly sacrificed, and without the slightest compensation 
 having been made or even offered. The former influx of 
 visitors to the sea-side soon ceased ; many of the lodging- 
 house keepers, who in former times hardly ever had to 
 complain of having a vacant room, were ofttimes left 
 without the means of paying their own rents, and were only 
 living in hopes of seeing realized the promised improvement, 
 which it was expected must so greatly benefit the immediate 
 neighbourhood and the general public. 
 
 The next step taken in that direction was the starting of a 
 Limited Liability Company for the construction of Public 
 Baths and a Promenade Pier at Merrion. For a site, no 
 place could be more eligible or present fairer attractions ; 
 all the contingent facilities and surroundings being admirably 
 adapted to erect a Pier and Promenade by gradual extension, 
 and as funds were made available, to carry both for at least 
 three miles over the strand at ebb-tide, while at the return 
 flow, the flooring might rise over the surrounding waves, 
 and enable visitors to stroll for such a length, thus to inhale 
 the refreshing ozone with the salt-sea breeze during the 
 Summer and Autumn seasons. Moreover, on either side of 
 the Promenade and at suitable distances from the entrance 
 gate separate cold water basins could have been con- 
 structed, on one side for gentlemen, and on the other for 
 ladies ; while still more remote from the shore, open sea-
 
 60 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 bathing and bathing dresses could be provided for men and 
 women, at respective stations and apart, with all necessary 
 safeguards against accident or impropriety. Thus might 
 the cold water baths be rendered wide of range, free for 
 swimming exercise, and invigorating, owing to the freshness 
 of the sea-water. Where for the accommodation of young 
 children or timid adults the bathing must necessarily be 
 confined to the enclosed basins, the concreted or tiled 
 floors of these baths should be on a level with, or even 
 slightly raised over the strand-surface ; and a simple 
 pumping apparatus twice in every twenty-four hours should 
 supply fresh salt-water, while the former used water could 
 be wholly ejected through a sluice, at those intervals when 
 the tide was fully out, and even the floors could be swept 
 clean before admitting a new supply. 
 
 Such a general plan should commend itself to ordinary 
 intelligence ; but designers and directors are restrained by 
 no special desire of accommodating the funds provided by 
 shareholders to secure useful ends ; and accordingly, in the 
 case of erecting those Merrion Baths and the Promenade 
 Pier, want of forethought has been most absurdly manifested 
 in a radically wrong design, and even great expense has 
 been incurred to render that design still more objectionable 
 in the mode of construction. The Promenade, for which a 
 Band Stand has been provided, is completely stunted in 
 length, and then blocked up at the end with an octagonal 
 concreted basin, divided by a wall into separate com- 
 partments for males and females, of very limited dimensions 
 for cold water bathing or swimming purposes. Moreover, 
 as if to spoil the freshness of the water more effectually, a 
 large sum of money has been spent in excavating a bank 
 of blue mud, and in forming a deep pool under the surface 
 of the strand, so that the water within the basins becomes 
 in a great measure stagnant anil foul, and the sediment 
 which collects at the bottom can only be removed by 
 artificial means and at considerable outlay. In other 
 details, various defects both of plan and execution might be 
 specified. Those enumerated, however, have tended largely 
 to send persons who have had experience of them in other 
 directions, to enjoy the benefit of open sea-bathing. 
 
 Moreover, it seems not to have been at all considered, 
 that more than half the community, owing to age or 
 constitutional infirmity, cannot avail of cold water baths, 
 and no effort has been hitherto made to provide hot water
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 6l 
 
 baths for their accommodation and use. Under such circum- 
 stances as these, little wonder may be expressed, that small 
 revenue has been returned from the Merrion Public 
 Baths and Promenade Pier ; nor does it seem probable that 
 condition shall be reversed, unless better management 
 prevail, and measures be taken for a complete remodelling of 
 the original construction, and for supplying the wants of 
 patrons, who have means and inclination to indulge in the 
 luxury of sea-water bathing. However, all this is irrelevant 
 to the subject which prompted us to introduce the following 
 narrative, and give it a place in this collection. 
 
 Whether it be legitimate or not, to engraft on the stem 
 of legend an " ower true tale" of Irish life ; it may at least 
 be amusing, to record a well authenticated incident, which 
 occurred not many years ago, and which afterwards ob- 
 tained the ephemeral notoriety of a newspaper paragraph. 
 As a matter of course, it survives in the recollection of 
 many, who were participants in or witnesses to the trans- 
 action, and who have often wondered why they had not 
 greater shrewdness of perception, than to be deceived by 
 the evidence of their senses, especially when fairly challenged 
 to submit their judgnient to the test of ordinary examina- 
 tion. It occurred, moreover, in the midst of an enlightened 
 community adjoining the city of Dublin, and not in the 
 remote glens or wilds of Connemara or among the mountains 
 of Kerry. 
 
 Several years have passed since Mickey Kieran was a 
 well-known and popular resident of Sandymount, where he 
 kept a dairy shop and cows, being in rather comfortable 
 circumstances. Time went by, however, and notwith- 
 standing his industry, fortune proved faithless in bestowing 
 her just awards, and a succession of unfavourable years 
 caused numbers of his cattle to be attacked with disease, 
 which carried them off; and much to the regret of all his 
 neighbours, poor Kieran gradually sank beneath his diffi- 
 culties, and in his old age, surviving family and relations, 
 he became impoverished to such a degree, that after a vain 
 struggle to maintain himself in the village, no other resource 
 remained than refuge in the South Dublin Union work- 
 house, since to labour he was unable, and to beg he was 
 ashamed. In his better days, Mickey Kieran was cheerful 
 and good-humoured ; indeed regarded by all his acquaint- 
 ances as a very comical man, and as such, very general 
 sympathy was expressed, but little support tendered, when
 
 62 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 he had taken the resolution of seeking that shelter from the 
 bufifets of adversity. No doubt, some of his former friends 
 and familiars paid him occasional visits ; but after a while, 
 these became less frequent, and having in a great measure 
 severed connection from the world without, in turn his very 
 existence was almost forgotten, even by his distant relatives, 
 who yet remembered him with esteem and affection. 
 
 At this time, it so happened, there were two Michael 
 Kierans entered on the Admission Books of the South 
 Dublin Union — distinct in family, local origin and con- 
 nexions, yet nearly of an age coinciding, and that was one 
 rather advanced in years. It seems more than likely, they 
 were intimates during the times of social intercourse freely 
 allowed there to the aged and infirm. 
 
 Some years having elapsed, one of the two Michael 
 Kierans was overtaken by illness, which confined him to 
 the ward, and it resulted finally in his removal thence to 
 the Dead House. It is customary, when family relations 
 are known to survive out of doors, and living at no great 
 distance, to send word of such an occurrence, so that the 
 corpse may be removed by them for wake and interment, 
 not at the expense of the Union. Having a knowledge of 
 Michael Kieran's former connexion with Sandymount, and 
 assuming that his friends there should naturally desire to 
 learn the particulars of his death ; an official messenger was 
 hastily despatched thither, and when the news was duly 
 announced, it was resolved, as a mark of respect and 
 sympathy, that a coffin should be procured, and arrange- 
 ments made for a private interment in the family plot of 
 ground registered in the Cemetery at Glasnevin. Accord- 
 ingly the undertaker discharged his commission by going to 
 the Dead House, and taking dimensions for the coffin that 
 had been ordered. When the remains had been cased 
 therein, a small cortege of friends attended and brought 
 them to Sandymount, where the lid of the coffin was raised, 
 and the corpse was duly laid out for a wake, with the 
 view further to prejiare a public funeral. 
 
 On such occasions, it is customary for the friends and 
 acquaintances of the deceased to assemble and manifest by 
 their presence and condolences with each other, their 
 remembrance and respect. All were seated in silence or 
 subdued conversation in the death-chamber, and as a 
 matter of course, having their looks directed towards the 
 corjise, their recollections were carried back over score of
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 63 
 
 years, and to the time when Mickey Kieran was alive and 
 well in the village of Sandymount. At length, among 
 others, when he could spare an hour from duty, the Tram- 
 car driver Michael MacManus entered, and approaching 
 the bedside, he gazed with some surprise on the features of 
 the dead. Then instituting a more rigorous examination, 
 a feeling of incredulity began to arise in his mind. After 
 a little deliberation, yet with a somewhat embarrassed air, 
 at length he cried out to others who were present : " Why, 
 bless me, but yees are waking the wrong man, for as shure 
 as I'm livin', this is not IMickey Kieran's corpse !" Now, 
 indeed, the people assembled came nearer to the dead 
 body, and eagerly scanned the features ; still as many 
 years elapsed since they had seen him alive, none could 
 clearly recollect any distinctive peculiarity of countenance, 
 that might lead them to entertain a negative doubt, especi- 
 ally as they had official warrant for the identity of the 
 deceased with the living subject. At last it was agreed, 
 that death oftentimes strangely alters the features, and aged 
 indications undoubtedly corresponded with the appearance 
 of the corpse there lying before them. No further serious 
 questions were raised, and attended by a goodly number of 
 his former friends and acquaintances to the family place 
 of interment, the last rites were discharged towards the 
 remains of Michael Kieran in Glasnevin. 
 
 Little more was thought about those occurrences for 
 another year, when it chanced that a poor old resident of 
 Sandymount, named Barney Quinn, was obliged to take up 
 his quarters as an inmate in the South Dublin Union 
 workhouse. Being duly entered on the Admission Book, 
 and having donned the gray uniform provided, no sooner 
 had the new-comer crossed the yard, than he started 
 with affright. Suddenly his old acquaintance Mickey Kieran 
 of Sandymount appeared and advanced to meet him with a 
 familiar smile of recognition. Recalling all the circum- 
 stances of the former wake and interment at which he had 
 assisted, poor Barney Quinn fancied he saw the ghost of 
 his old acquaintance and friend, while in his distress, and 
 shuddering at the idea of grasping the proffered hand, he 
 stammered out in amazement : " Why, Mickey Kieran, I 
 thought we buried you this time twelve months in Glas- 
 nevin, and all your friends in Sandymount thought the 
 same, and now to see you livin' again and to the fore !" 
 He then related what had happened at the time, to the no
 
 64 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 small wonder of his friend, who then understood the reason 
 why he had not received a single visit from any one of the 
 Sandymount people, during the whole of the previous 
 twelvemonths. The cordiality and friendship of former 
 days were resumed, and reminiscences of the past formed 
 the topic of many a conversation l)etween them, so long as 
 they remained fellow inmates of the South Dublin Bastile, 
 as its poor occupants are pleased ironically to designate that 
 large building. 
 
 Soon, however, these incidents were made known, and 
 news reached Sandymount, that its former resident Mickey 
 Kieran was still in the land of the living. Then the sagacity 
 and opinion of Michael MacManus were recognized and 
 approved, although formerly rejected and contemned ; 
 while the scorners who attended the wake and funeral of a 
 man unknown did not care to have it stated, they had been 
 victims of an illusion. Even the ridicule attaching to them, 
 and an unwillingness to revive any recollection of their 
 error, caused them to neglect poor Michael Kieran, who did 
 not long survive the attendance of his friends at the funeral 
 of his namesake. Moreover, it must be related, that when 
 his own death actually took place, his remains were not 
 decreed the usual mortuary tokens of respect in his native 
 village, but were brought, according to the ordinary custom 
 of pauper burial, from the workhouse to the grave. 
 
 No. XX. 
 Cfje ?"jruili'6 iSctragal. 
 
 LEGEND OF THE RIVER HANN, COUNTY OF LONDONDERRY. 
 
 '"Twas vain: the loud waves lashed the shore, 
 Return or aid preventing, 
 The waters wild went o'er his child. 
 And he was left lamenting." 
 
 — Thomas Campbell's Lord Ullin's Daughter. 
 
 During the old Pagan times in Ireland, and about three 
 hundred years before the Christian era, flourished the 
 monarch Conall Collomrach, according to the calculation 
 of the chronologists. Like most of the kings who preceded
 
 IRISH LOCAL LKGRNOS. 65 
 
 him, little is known of his exploits, but that his reign was 
 brief, and his end a violent one, are recorded by the annalists. 
 Tradition asserts, however, that he had a lovely daughter, 
 named Tuag, and who was only an infant at the time of his 
 death. The fame of her beauty, and the fact that she was 
 an unprotected orphan, reached the ears of the celebrated 
 Conaire Mor, who had the reputation of being one of the 
 most just, brave and compassionate of men. His long 
 reign was glorious and prosperous for a period of seventy 
 years. To get possession of the child, he sought the aid of 
 a Druid, named Fer-Fi, son of Eogabail, and belonging to 
 the Tuatha De Danaan race. Ttiis magician lived in a 
 fort, situated on the banks of the Upper Bann, which comes 
 streaming down in many branches from the Mourne Moun- 
 tains, and uniting the various contingents near Rathfriland, 
 in the County Down, the torrent becomes considerable 
 onwards to Banbritlge and Portadown, whence taking a 
 northerly course, it enters the south-western extremity of 
 Lough Neagli. 
 
 That Druid was a most skilled performer on the harp, 
 and he could modulate its strings 10 produce any tones of 
 melody, from the heroic to the lively and soul-inspiriting ; 
 from the most solemn to the most soothing and plaintive 
 strains. Magical influences were supposed aitaching to the 
 songs he composed, and to which the lyre formed an 
 accompaniment. Wherefore, that harpist was famed through 
 the length and breadth of Ireland ; and roving minstrel as 
 he was, the halls of Emania received him as an honoured 
 guest, while every petiy prince and chief vied with each 
 other to invite him on the first available occasion to their 
 respective forts. Such an adroit messenger obtained ready 
 access to the habitation of the infant Tuag's fosterer ; and 
 admiring her great beauty, at such a tender age, the minstrel 
 composed a song in her praise, and suiting it to the softest 
 and sweetest lullaby, he threw the fosterer, his wife, children 
 and the baby princess, into a profound sleep. This was 
 the opportunity he desired, and gently lifting the infant from 
 her cradle, he wrapped her in a warm covering. Then, 
 carrying the harp on his back, he set out on the road for 
 Conaire Mor's royal residence, at Emania, and soon pre- 
 :iented the little princess to the generous monarch, who 
 immediately became her guardian and protector. 
 
 The king was generous in bestowing a lar^e reward on 
 the Diuid, and looking on the infantile expression of
 
 66 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 features, he dearly loved the child. Placing her under the 
 guardianship of female attendants, he gave the retinue 
 instructions that none of the piinces or chiefs of his court 
 should have access to her, until she attained an age, when 
 the tympanist Fer-Fi should return and take charge of her 
 musical and literary education. Every day the monarch 
 saw her, and rejoiced to find her grow in grace and beauty, 
 until she reached the tenth year, when Fer-Fi came to court 
 according to agreement. He brought her on departing to 
 his own home, where every convenience and comfort had 
 been provided for the young princess. Each year he 
 promised a visit to Emania, so that while entertaining the 
 court with his songs and harp, he might furnish a report 
 also, on her progress and accomplishments. 
 
 To great beauty of person, the Princess Tuag united great 
 powers of mind and an exquisite taste for music, so that by 
 degrees her reputation spread all over Ireland ; but, no 
 prince or chief dare visit or make proposals of marriage to 
 her in disregard of the monarch's strict injunctions to the 
 Druid. However, a notorious magician, named Manahan 
 MacLir, ruled as king over the Isle of Man. and he felt so 
 desirous to obtain possession of the maiden, that he practised 
 all manner of intrigue and incantations to succeed in his 
 design. At length, he sent a female messenger to his 
 brother Druid, and having a commission to bribe Fer-Fi 
 with a large sum of money, the latter was not proof to such 
 a temptation, and accordingly he promised to meet Manahan 
 MacLir with his sea-fleet, at the mouth of the River Bann. 
 He agreed likewise, to deliver up the beautiful young 
 princess to him, and in a manner unknown to the monarch 
 of Ireland. 
 
 Often had the royal maiden rambled along the banks of 
 the pleasant Bann. She admired the scenery and rushing 
 waters of its many streams through ravines and dells, where 
 the oak forests grew thickly along its course ; but always 
 she was accompanied by the guardian, who was now about 
 to betray his trust. Confiding as she lived with him, that 
 project was easily accomplished, especially as he could 
 bring magic arts to his aid. On an evening selected for the 
 purpose, he had a canoe hollowed out from the trunk of a 
 gigantic tree, and it was moored on the river bank. Taking 
 his harp as usual, the Druid ran his fingers over the strings, 
 and began by playing the slow lullaby for the young 
 princess, until her eyes closed in a mesmeric sleep. Then
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 67 
 
 lifting the innocent maiden in his arms, and carrying her to 
 the boat, he placed her in a recumbent position in the 
 stern, and unfastened the cord which bound the gunwale to 
 a tree on the river-bank. The canoe, with an occasional 
 paddle of the oars, glided rapidly along with the current, 
 until Fer-Fi and the sleeping princess came to the expansive 
 opening of Lough Neagh. 
 
 There the Druid set up a mast, and having fixed it firmly 
 in the socket, he spread a sail, and careered over the surface 
 of the lake, until he came to the northern extremity, whence 
 issued its volume of water into the Lower Bann. This fine 
 river they now entered, and glided swiftly on the current 
 through the territory of Dalriada, broad valleys on either 
 side and thickly wooded. At last, the boat reached the 
 embouchure which united it with the ocean. The fleet of 
 Manahan MacLir was not then in sight, and this circum. 
 stance greatly embarrassed Fer-Fi. The estuary bore the 
 name of Inber n-Glas, at that time. There the Druid lifted 
 the sleeping beauty, and laid her gently on the strand, 
 while a sigh of repentance escaped his lips and tears fell 
 from his eyes. The princess seemed as in a trance. But, 
 fearing the wrath of King Conaire, the magician turned 
 away to seek a sea-worthy vessel, which might serve to- 
 convey himself and his charge to the Isle of Man. There 
 he hoped for safety, and even persuaded himself, that the 
 princess should enjoy peace and happiness, as queen consort 
 to the renowned sea-rover, Manahan MacLir. 
 
 This expectation however was soon dispelled ; for, during 
 his absence, a great wave came rolling from the northern 
 ocean, and swept over the strand on which Tuag lay. The 
 lovely maiden never awoke again, and when the tide rolled 
 back, she was a corpse. Her base betrayer, in trying to 
 effect his escape from the bounds of Erinn, was overtaken 
 by a tempest, and perished in the depths of the ocean. 
 When those tidings came to the knowledge of the monarch 
 and people of Ireland, all bemoaned the fate of the unfor- 
 tunate and deeply-injured princess. Thenceforward, the 
 embouchure of the River Bann changed its former name ', 
 and, to commemorate the sorrowful issue, it was called 
 Tuag Inbir, by succeeding generations.
 
 6S IRISH LOCAL LEGENDft. 
 
 No. XXI. 
 
 e>%t ®otitan User's ingcnuHs. 
 
 LEGEND OF ST. MULLINS, COUNTY OF CAELOW. 
 
 " Men called him Cobban Saer, and many a tale 
 
 Yet lii.gers in the bye-ways of the land, 
 Of how he cleft the rock, and down the vale 
 
 Led ihe bright river, child-like, in his hand: 
 Or how on giant ships he spread great sail, 
 
 And maiiy marvels else by him first plann'd." 
 
 — Thomas Darcy M 'Gee's T/te Gobbau Saer. 
 
 Many traditions of the Gobban Saer are still told in the 
 locality of St. Mullins ; one of these relates how, being the 
 cleverest builder in Ireland, he arrived once footsore and 
 vjreary at the Church of St. Mullins, which was then building. 
 He always took a great interest in the erection of churches, 
 and when not engaged as the architect himself, the Gobban 
 had a turn for visiting places, where he knew work of the 
 kind to be progressing, so that he might aid or give useful 
 hints to the builders. He usually travelled in his working 
 dress, which was ragged and torn ; so that from his outward 
 appearance, no one could suspect he was an architect of the 
 greatest genius. When he reached St. Mullins, a number 
 of mechanics and labourers were busy under a foreman's 
 direction, and they were then engaged in putting on the 
 church-roof. He sat down on a stone that was near, and 
 gaxed intently on their labours. 
 
 The workmen who were engaged there noticed the 
 stranger, and scofted at his poor appearance, as he was 
 looking at their work. At last, they gave vent to rather un- 
 complimentary observations, and the accomplished Gobban 
 had to bear patiently such remarks as these, although he 
 began with the common salutation of *• God bless the work, 
 boys!" 
 
 " Musha where did you shtroll from to-day, for an idle 
 thramp?" cried out a man that was on the roof. 
 
 " That's none of your business to know," returned the 
 Gobban Saer. 
 
 ••Do you want a job, my good fellow, or can you do a 
 baund's turn, at all?" inquired another labourer.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 69 
 
 ** That you'll find out in good time," replied the Gobbaa 
 to his impertinent questioner. 
 
 ** Did you ever learn any thrade?" asked the foreman. 
 
 *' May be I did, and may be I didn't," said the Gobban, 
 ** and you may want my help before long." 
 
 ** And what thrade were you brought up to, my good 
 man?" inquired the foreman. 
 
 *' I know a great many," returned the Gobban. 
 
 "Then I suppose you are a Jack-of-All Thrades, acKl 
 good at none," said the foreman. 
 
 **Are ye a mason?" cried one of the craft, who was 
 engaged dressing a quoia-stone for building the vestry. 
 
 *• I am, and a master-mason at that," replied the Gobbaa. 
 
 *' And may be ye are a carpenter, too," cried another, 
 who was sawing planks for the construction of the church 
 doors. 
 
 ** Yes, and a first-class one," answered the Gobban. 
 
 *' I suppose you can do smith-work also," cried out a 
 man that was working at the anvil to forge iron bolts for 
 the doors. 
 
 ** I am, and a lock-smith, and a gold-smith, moreover," 
 returned the Gobban to the last questioner. 
 
 ** Do you belong to any regular Thrade Society, at all," 
 inquired the foreman, "or can you show your card of 
 membership?" 
 
 **That I do not, and cannot," said the Gobban, "but 
 while I am eating a bit of oaten cake, and resting myself 
 here, I'll just be at hand to let you know what I can do." 
 
 At that moment, the man on the unfinished roof was 
 laying the rafters, and he desired to shape a plug or wedge 
 to secure one of these to a beam ; but after repeated efforts 
 with an adze, he found it would not fit the hole for which 
 it had been intended, and at last, he told the foreman of his 
 failure. As being such a very clever fellow, the foreman 
 then asked Gobban was he able to chop it out in a shape 
 to fill the space. Asking to see what place the plug was 
 required for, Gobban was pointed out a hole high up in one 
 of the timbers of the roof. " Give me a hatchet," said he, 
 " and I'll fashion the plug here, in less than a jiffey." The 
 foreman then reached an axe to the Gobban Saer. Spread- 
 ing his handkerchief on a stcne at hand, ** to save the edge 
 of the hatchet," he soon chopped out the plug. Then 
 tossing it up into the hole, he secured it there, by throwing 
 up the hatchet after it, and the instrument fell on the plug,
 
 TO IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS, 
 
 which entered the right spot, where it fitted exactly the 
 opening. 
 
 "Can any of yees do the like of that?" cried the stranger, 
 as he gazed in triumph around the circle of workmen 
 present. 
 
 " Begorra," shouted all, " that bangs Banagher, and 
 you 're a regular genius!" 
 
 " Didn't I tell yees," says he, " that yees 'ud want my 
 help, and I don't think yees 'ill sneer at me any longer." 
 He had then rested sufficiently, and having finished the last 
 morsel of his oaten cake, he put on his hat, took his black- 
 thorn stick in his hand, and proceeded on his journey. 
 
 He had not told them his name, nor was it necessary ; 
 for the workmen all knew, that no man in Ireland could 
 attempt the feat he accomplished other than the Gobban 
 Saer.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 71 
 
 No. XXII. 
 
 C^e ^eist^a of faint's Islanlr. 
 
 LXGEND OF LOUGH DERG, COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 
 
 "Yet there 
 He lis'cs not long ; but respiration needs 
 At proper intervals. • » * * 
 • « ♦ ♦ » xhat spear has pierc'd 
 His neck ; the crimson waves confess the wound, 
 Fix'd is the bearded lance, unwelcome guest, 
 Where'er he flies." 
 
 — William Somerville's Chase, Book vt. 
 
 " Para que con esta acabe 
 La historia, que nos refiere 
 Diot.isio, el gran Cartusiano, 
 Con Enrique Saltarense, 
 Cesario, Mateo Rodulfo, 
 Dominicano Esturbaquense, 
 Membrosio, Marco Marulo, 
 David Roto, y el prudente 
 Primado de toda Hibernia, 
 Belarmino, Beda, Serpi, 
 Fray Dimas, Jacob S'olino, 
 Mensinghano, y finalmente 
 La piedad y la opinion 
 Crisliana, que lo defiende." 
 — Don Pedro Calderon de la Barca's Comedias. 
 El Purgatorio de San Patricio, Aut. iii., See. it. 
 
 " For with this is now concluded 
 The historic legend told us 
 By Dionysius the great Carthusian, 
 With Henricus Salteriensis, 
 Caesarius Heisterbachensis, 
 Matthew Paris and Ranulphus, 
 Monbrisius, Marolicus Siculus, 
 David Rothe, and the judicious 
 Primate over all Hibernia, 
 Bellarmino, Beda, Serpi, 
 Friar Dymas, Jacob Solin, 
 Messingham, and in conclusion 
 The belief and pious feeling 
 Which have everywhere maintained it." 
 — Denis Florence MacCarihy's English Translation of the 
 Dramas of Calderon, vo'. ii. 
 The Purgatory of Saint Patrick, Act iii., Scene ir. 
 
 In no other part of Ireland can wilder or grander scenery 
 be found, than over the surface and around the sea-coast of 
 the County of Donegal. Given a few weeks of fine Summer
 
 72 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 weather, and the hire of an outside jaunting car — which can 
 . be procured at any of the towns or villages along the route 
 — and the tourist may reach with personal convenience all 
 the points of greatest interest ; while the road-side inns will 
 afford sufificiently comfortable ifnotluxuriousaccommodation. 
 A pleasant travelling companion will relieve the feeling of 
 solitariness, which the loneliness of that region should 
 otherwise be likely to create. Considering its mountainous 
 characteristics, the chief public roads are planned with much 
 engineering judgment, and have as few steep ascents or 
 descents as the nature of the place can admit. Deep valleys 
 and glens are to be seen in the recesses of the mountains, 
 and clear beautiful streams winding through them. The 
 lover of nature, in her most charming aspects, can indulge 
 his reveries, as fancy and the occasion may excite. He 
 must certainly find scenic effects and objects of curiosity to 
 awaken interest and admiration, at every stage of his 
 journey. 
 
 Happily, too, very excellent Guide Books have been 
 written to conduct the intelligent traveller through every 
 district of this County ; to describe its varied scenery, to 
 name its celebrities, and to illustrate its local history. 
 Among these treatises may be specially mentioned "The 
 Donegal Highlands," by the Most Rev. James MacDevitt, 
 D.D., Bishop of Raphoe ; " Inis-owen and Tirconnell : 
 Notes, Antiquarian and Topographical," by William James 
 Doherty. First .Series, 1891; and still greatly enlarged, 
 *' Inis-owen and Tirconnell. Being some Account of Anti- 
 quities and Writers of the County of Donegal," by William 
 James Doherty. Second Series, 1895. Besides these most 
 interesting and valuable works may be mentioned the late 
 Monsignor Stephens' "Illustrated Handbook of the Scenery 
 and Antiquities of South-Western Donegal ;" Rev. Coesar 
 Otway's ".Sketches in Donegal ;" Hugh Allingham's "Bally- 
 shannon : its History and Antiquities;" Michael Harkin's 
 ** Inis-Owen ;" Lord George Hill's " Facts from Gweedore," 
 and "Hints to Donegal Tourists ;"" Memoir of the City 
 and North-Weslern Liberties of Derry. Parish of Temple- 
 more ;" and Thomas Colin MacGinley's " Cliff Scenery of 
 South-Western Donegal." .Such special works must furnish 
 lore sufficient for the historical and topogrnphical student ; 
 his own turn for observation and investigation ought store 
 his memory with recollections of a picturesque and delight 
 ful tour.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 73 
 
 One of the most interesting localities of Donecjal is the 
 bloomy and lonely Lough Derg, which is approached from 
 Ballyshannon by road through the village of Pettigo, from 
 which it is about three miles distant. It covers an area of 
 over two thousand acres, and it contains a few very small 
 islets, the chief of which are Station Island — noted for its 
 Pilgrimages from the 1st of June to the 15th of August — 
 Saint's Island, and Inishgosk. The waters expand in their 
 solitude amid a wide and wild waste of highland moors : 
 while the prospect around is closed in by distant ranges of 
 heath-covered hills, without any considerable elevation or 
 distinctiveness of form. From this Lough proceeds the 
 River Derg, which takes a north-easterly course of sixteen 
 or seventeen miles to the Moyle. and at a point about two 
 miles below Newtown-Stewart, in the County of Tyrone. 
 The natural features and Christian history of this place are 
 fully described in the second and greatly enlarged edition 
 of Very Rev. Daniel O'Connor's illustrated book. ** Lough 
 Derg and its Pilgrimages." in which are collected the 
 traditions and romantic narratives, which in former times 
 spread the fame of this locality throughout these islands, 
 and over distant countries on the Continent of Europe. 
 The celebrated Spanish poet Don Pedro Calderon de la 
 Barca has composed a well-known sacred drama, El Pur- 
 s;aton'o de San Patricio, and it has been elegantly rendered 
 into English metre, corresponding with the original, by our 
 accomplished Irish poet, Denis Florence MacCarthy. The 
 assonances and spirit of the original have been admirably 
 preserved in every line of the translation. 
 
 In the summer season, the Pilgrim's Boat is in constant 
 requisition safely to ferry over from the mainland all who 
 desire to visit Station Island, through motives of devotion 
 or curiosity, and thousands of people land there ; but still 
 beyond in the Lough lies Saints' Island, now less frequented 
 than formerly, although its celebrity is of earlier date, and 
 reaches back to the sixth century, when St. Dabheoc lived 
 on it as a recluse, and is said to have founded there a mon- 
 astic establishment. During the Middle Ages, the Canons 
 Regular of Saint Augustine had a religious house on Saints' 
 Island ; from which they were expelled in the beginning of 
 King James I.'s reign, a.d. 160;^. The ruins of that priory 
 are now scarcely traceable. However with Saints' Island 
 is associated a curious legend, of which the following is an 
 outline.
 
 74 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 In the old Pagan times a Peistha, or water serpent, of 
 immense girth and of still greater trail, was believed to 
 haunt the celebrated Lough Derg, in the northern parts of 
 Ireland. Sometimes his horrid head and open jaws were 
 seen above the surface, as if drawing in the upper air. 
 More frequently the fishermen saw him gliding slowly 
 through the depths. When St. Patrick landed at Saints' 
 Island, that large water serpent was known to have tenanted 
 the waters of Lough Derg. He had caused the destruction 
 of many dwelling on the banks. But the saint could not 
 tolerate the presence of such a monster, and accordingly, 
 with a stroke of his staff the Peistha was destroyed. After- 
 wards, the waters of the Lough began to assume a reddish 
 tinge, so freely did the monster bleed. To the present day 
 has that colour continued, hence the name given to it — the 
 Red Lake. The skeleton remained on Station Island to 
 the beginning of the present century, as the old people 
 living around the shores are ready to asseverate ; and many 
 of them have conversed with persons who alleged they saw 
 the last remaining portions of that serpent's body mouldering. 
 into dust. 
 
 No. XXIIL 
 Ct)< ^SBttc^ QEraneformeD. 
 
 LEGEND OF CULLENAGH, QUEEN'S COUNTY. 
 
 '• My heart is dull withiti my breast, mine eyes are full of tearn. 
 My memory is wandering back to long departed years — 
 
 To tho.se bright days, long, long ago. 
 When nought I knew of sordid cares, of worldly woe, 
 But roved, a gay, light-hcaried boy, the wood of Caillino." 
 
 — Mrs. Klien Fitz-Simon's («c> O'Connell), 
 Song of the Irish Emigrant in North Americm.. 
 
 "There dwelt a dread Enchantress in a nook 
 
 Obscure ; old helpmate she to him had been, 
 Lending her aid in many a secret sin ; 
 And there for counsel now his way he took." 
 
 — Robert Southey's Curse of Kehama, Sect. xi. 
 The Enchantress, 2. 
 
 The days and nights of the old rustic Shanachie and his 
 stories by the cottage fire-side are now numbered among 
 the customs and traditions of by-gone times ; but we well
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 75 
 
 remember the delijjht it afforded ourselves as juveniles, to 
 have seen and heard such a historiographer, and to have 
 learned much curious lore from his narratives to those 
 audiences so frequently assembled in the evenings, as addi- 
 tions to his domestic circle. The lapse of years has driven 
 the name of that chronicler from our recollection, although 
 having vividly impressed on our memory the scenes pre- 
 sented on such occasions. These were unfolded in the chief 
 apartment of a small farmer's thatched dwelling, entered 
 through an open door, with a half-door usually closed, to 
 exclude the sow and her litter of honiveens in the bawn from 
 the interior. Much less imposing than a Cathedral vaulted 
 roof, yet was the apex of the pointed gables and ridge-pole 
 of the cabin highly pitched, the rafters were rude and wide 
 apart, connected with cross braces and stout spans of deal 
 to support the dark heather scraw-roof, which served as a 
 ceiling beneath the superincumbent thick outer covering of 
 straw. The mud-walls were plastered on the inside, while 
 both within and without, they were periodically refreshed 
 with a coating of whitewash, and everything was kept 
 scrupulously clean about the aged couple's household. A 
 great ornament of the interior was the kitchen dresser, with 
 rows of plates, dishes and mugs of Chinese design and 
 gaudy colours displayed, and again these were flanked by a 
 pan and gridiron, with bright tin porringers, hanging from 
 pegs driven into the walls. A kitchen table and a settle 
 were on either side. The latter served its double purpose, 
 ^"a bed by night, a couch for seats by day," — we much 
 correct the absurd reading in Oliver Goldsmith's text — a 
 few deal chairs and a few four-legged elm-stools, with the 
 cosy bench in the ingle-nook, and facing the hearth within 
 the partition, accommodated the group of uninvited neigh- 
 bours and friends, that dropped in during the gloaming of 
 evening to pay visits in a homely way. A cheerlul welcome 
 always awaited them from the kindly old master and matron 
 of the home-stead ; they were invariably provided with 
 seats ; conversation soon became general, and it was often 
 prolonged to late hours in the night before the company 
 separated. 
 
 Never did Dryden preside with a greater sense of import- 
 ance in Will's Coffee House, when the wits and worthies 
 of London flocked thither to enjoy the conversation of 
 "glorious John," than did their Shanachie over the rustics 
 of Cuilenagh, who came far and near to learn wisdom from
 
 76 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 the lips of their venerable and sociable host. When gossip 
 and banter, song and repartee had passed good -humou redly 
 around, it was generally ihe veteran's turn to pour forth the 
 stores of his varied experience, reflections, and learning, for 
 the information and delight of the men and women, boys 
 and girls assembled. Among these latter, the writer was 
 privileged to take his place, and to learn his first lesson of 
 American history ; for the Shanachie's uncle Mick had 
 served, we were told, as a full private under General 
 Burgoyne, and had been necessitated to live upon horse- 
 flesh for some days, before the surrender of his chief at 
 Saratoga to General Gates and the Yankees. The subse- 
 quent career of that warrior we have now quite forgotten. 
 
 It need scarcely be added, that the master of the cottage 
 was a man of great natural intelligence, and greatly respected 
 by his neighbours and acquaintances. He was a keen 
 politician, moreover, and although not a subscriber for any 
 newspaper of the period — the stamp and paper duty was 
 then prohibitive from allowing such regular and wide 
 circulation as at present in the people's homes — still was a 
 journal of rather old date occasionally procured and read 
 out for the assembled guests, followed by comments and 
 discussions on the stirring events of the time. From the 
 curate of the parish — with whom the Shanachie was an 
 especial favourite — the paper of his choice was generally 
 obtained, after Father Perkinson of Ballyroan had pored 
 over it, and satisfied his own thirst for information, and 
 perhaps had lent it previously to other villagers. About 
 that time, likewise, two rival newspapers, The Leinster* 
 Express and The Leinster Independent, had been started in 
 Maryborough, chiefly for county and provincial circulation, 
 and containing news of political, local and agricultural 
 interest for their respective patrons. A kindly disposed 
 gentleman, named Cooney, proprietor of a large cotton-mill 
 and an extensive employer of many young boys and girls in 
 the neighbourhood, was a subscriber to the former, then 
 issued weekly, and he invariably lent it to the J^hanachie, 
 for his own and the delectation of his fire-side club. 
 
 Above and before all other topics for discussion, the 
 political state of the country at that time was matter which 
 afTorded exciting subjects for comment, and frequently for 
 divided opinion, among the rustic patriots ; for all were 
 sincere in their love of country, but in speculation on her 
 future, none could with certainty forecast what measures
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS, 77 
 
 were likely to be devised or adopted, in order to ameliorate 
 her condition. Parly feeling then ran high, and the news- 
 papers were acrimonious and personal in iheir attacks ; 
 while the Queen's County was especially in a disturbed 
 state, owing to the factions of Whitefeet and Blackfeet, and 
 the existence ol Orange Lodges — all secret organizations — 
 that gave great unrest to the more sensible and well disposed 
 portion of the population. The Tithe-war was at its most 
 acute stage, and Daniel O'Connell had unfurled the flag of 
 Repeal of the Legislative Union between England and 
 Ireland. The latter great national leader and orator was 
 then in the zenith ot his fame and power ; he was the 
 people's idol, and by none was he more enthusiastically 
 admired than by our Shanachie, who read his speeches 
 aloud for the attentive listeners around him, and afterwards 
 expounded what he believed to be the various political 
 intentions and motions of the celebrated Agitator. To give 
 the reader an idea of the rustic lecturer's opinions and mode 
 of expressing them, on one occasion of the sort, we heard 
 him declare in a tone of energy and earnestness: "This 
 O'Connell is such a great man, you see, that he is impelled 
 by foreign powers, you see, and if they don't grant his 
 requests for Ireland, you see, he'll knock them from East 
 to West, you see, and Patt Lalor of Tinakill, and Dr. Jacob 
 of Maryborough, and John Dunne of Ballynakill, and 
 Richard Ledbeller and Burrowes Kelly of Stradbaiiy, you 
 see, will stand to him shoulder to shoulder, you see, to put 
 in Peter Gale for the Queen's County, and turn out the Tory 
 Sir Charles Coote, you see, to brain the bloody Tithes, you 
 see." This habitual interpolation was often introduced to 
 impress his audience the more effectively ; and seldom, 
 indeed, was a dissenting objection raised to any conclusion 
 the master of the house arrived at, for on the whole, he was 
 regarded as a thoroughly well informed and knowledgable 
 man. 
 
 What greatly interested that select gathering in the cottage 
 was their host's reading "The Tales and Legends of the 
 Queen's County Peasantry," contributed by John Keegan, 
 a national schoolmaster and a man of genius as a poet and 
 romancist. Those contributions were well worthy insertion 
 in the best Magazines of that day, and were admired by 
 readers of literary taste and judgment ; but they were 
 especially relished by the peasants, lamiliar with the scenes 
 and customs depicted, with the patois of their class he
 
 78 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 introduced, and sometimes with the topics and characters 
 of their native county. They were most eagerly read for 
 their fun, their fancy, style and descriptive power ; while 
 at once, those stories established the reputation and circula- 
 tion of The Leimter Express. Had they issued in any 
 other country than our own, such accessions to a truly 
 national literature should not have remained unculled from 
 the columns of a country newspaper, and they must have 
 found their preservation in book-form, to amuse and instruct 
 succeeding generations. Sixty years have elapsed since 
 they appeared, and still are they hidden away in the earlier 
 volumes and files of a paper, which only gave them an 
 ephemeral and a restricted celebrity. At the time to which 
 we allude, the fame of John Keegan as a story-teller was 
 widely diffused among the people, and his name was a 
 household word throughout the Queen's County. Subse- 
 quently, he wrote tales of Irish Life and poetry of exquisite 
 pathos for the Dublin University Magazine, DolmarHs 
 Magazine, and other high-class periodicals ; but. when his 
 reputation a= a writer had been fairly established, while 
 engaged at his humble and useful calling, he died in 1849, 
 having only completed his fortieth year. What is not 
 generally known must here be recorded : he was a most 
 amiable and lovable character ; a man strictly moral and 
 religious ; devoted to the duties of his profession, and greatly 
 respected by his family relations and acquaintances. The 
 afternoon of Sundays he usually spent in the rural chapel 
 of Clough — about three miles from Abbeyleix — and then he 
 taught catechism to the children of the parishioners. Some 
 few years have passed over since the late Rev. Denis 
 Murphy, S.J. — so great a lover and promoter of Irish and 
 national literature — made a pilgrimage with the writer to 
 that place, where lived the niece of John Keegan ; but we 
 were informed l)y her, that she was too young at the time 
 of his death to have any personal recollection of her uncle, 
 and that nearly all their surviving relations were then living 
 in the United States of America. She possessed none of 
 his letters or manuscripts, nor could she say if any had been 
 preserved. One prized document, in his elegant hand- 
 writing, and framed, contains the Rules of the Christian 
 Confraternity. It is hung against the wall within the 
 chapel of Clough, and probably in the adjoining graveyard 
 the remains of John Keegan were deposited. 
 
 No more sincere admirer had that literatteur of The
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 79 
 
 Leinsier Express than the Cullenagh Shanachie ; but 
 whether any personal acquaintance or correspondence 
 existed between them or not is a problem that cannot be 
 solved by the writer. However, in those days, the themex 
 for narrative were not confined to any particular locality ; 
 each peasant could relate his own tale of wonder, and 
 tradition had left him in possession of many coming down 
 from his grandsires, and still well remembered. But, in 
 every townland or parish a specially accomplished raconteur 
 was pre-eminent ; and for miles around his modest dwelling. 
 none was to be found better versed in such lore than our 
 venerable sage. 
 
 One of the Shanachie's stories we still recollect — yet only 
 in general outline — was the following. We were informed 
 the time reached back over a hundred years, and when that 
 picturesque and triple range, the Black, Middle and White 
 Mountains of Cullenagh were covered with a thick growth 
 of primeval timber, the forest was infested with wild black 
 cats, which were known to be malicious, and were dreaded 
 by the country-people, as if they were demons. In a deep 
 gorge, through which a small rapid stream descends in a 
 succession of tiny waterfalls between the Black and Middle 
 Mountains, there lived all alone an old hag, who practised 
 charms, and healed various diseases and afifeclions, by 
 gathering herbs and simples. She gave it to be understood, 
 that these were mixed with the blood of a black cat, which 
 she caught occasionally, and then sacrificed, with some 
 incantations calculated to effect a cure. How she lived 
 there was a mystery to many, and few of the Cullenagh 
 people cared to cultivate the acquaintance of that sorceress. 
 whose reputation for magic, nevertheless, was widely ex- 
 tended. From distant places, people were known to visit 
 her, and having been guided through the by-ways which 
 led to her shieling, they returned with philtres and ointments 
 and drugs to be applied as she directed. A fee was exacted 
 and cheerfully paid in each case. A natural enmity sprang 
 up between herself and the wild cats, so that whenever she 
 ventured abroad, these animals beset her way in troops, and 
 grinned vengefully and screamed loudly on her approach. 
 The hag carried a stout blackthorn stick, which she was 
 able to wield with vigour, and if any came too near its 
 stroke, they were sure to pay the forfeit with their lives. 
 The resentment of the survivors resembled that of the 
 peasant's wild justice of revenge, and it was treasured up
 
 8o IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 for an opportunity of wreaking dire vengeance on the 
 oppressor of their breed and race. 
 
 The tine castellated mansion of the Cullenagh Barringtons 
 then arose on the northern slope of the Black Mountain, 
 and there at the present day, its ruined and roofless walls 
 are still to be seen. It was sheltered towards the rear by 
 the spreading forests, then a great covert for game, while 
 an extensive view opened in Iront over pasture and corn 
 fields, and this was closed in the distance by the circling 
 range of Fossey and Timahoe Mountains. There the cele- 
 brated Sir J( nah Barrington spent much of his youthful life 
 in the last century with his aged grandfather, whose pecu- 
 liarities are so humorously described in his Personal 
 Memoirs. At all times, the Barringtons were addicted to 
 hunting and field sports. They kept packs of harriers^ 
 while pointers and setters and greyhounds accompanied 
 their rambles over the fields and through the woods. 
 Frequently their fowling pieces rang through the latter, 
 and being excellent shots, after a day's sport, they returned 
 home, their game-bags usually filled with woodcock, grouse 
 and pheasants. 
 
 Now they had a wood-ranger, called Watt, who had 
 charge ol preserving the game, and of rambling among the 
 brakes, to warn poachers against tresspass on the hares and 
 rabbits, that preyed in numbers on their tenants' growing 
 corn. Watt was a frolicksome and foolhardy character, 
 never brought up to any other occupation, and who preferred 
 entirely the wood-man's independent and rather solitary 
 life, to any regular course of manual industry. lie often 
 passed through that glen, where the old hag's cabin stood, 
 and in his rounds sometimes stopped awhile to make 
 observations ; for, in common with all living on the estate, 
 he was curious to glean some definite knowledge of her 
 habits and mode of living. Sometimes she opened the 
 door very cautiously, to learn who was coming, and then 
 to bid him the time of day ; but all the prolessions of 
 friendship and blandishments he used could not induce her 
 to invite him into her cabin. 
 
 It so happened, nevertheless, that while on his range one 
 day, with greyhound and gun, and peering through the 
 woods, a hare suddenly appeared across his path-way, and 
 from all sides he heard a growling of wild cats, as if 
 approaching towards himself. He soon found, however, 
 that the object of their pursuit was the poor frightened hare,
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 8l 
 
 and in whatever quarter she turned, one or other of the cats 
 seemed to head her off, as the circle narrowed around her. 
 At last, after several doublings, she turned towards Watt, 
 and making one desperate spring, the hare jumped full on 
 to his breast, and she clung to him with paws extended on 
 his shoulders, her heart violently palpitating with fear. At 
 first he was startled, but moved to compassion for the poor 
 animal's terror, he resolved to save her. The dog by his 
 side was even impatient to pounce on the poor creature ; 
 yet was he restrained by the looks and motions of his master. 
 Still the growlers around him appeared to be increasing in 
 number, while the trees seemed to be alive with the wild 
 cats, and their shrill screams were piercing to the ear. 
 Meanwhile, to the astonishment of her protector, the hare 
 cried out in a plaintive voice: "For your life, Watt, for 
 your life, Watt, don't let them near me!" Terrified out of 
 his wits, at the idea of holding a bewitched creature in his 
 arms, the wood-ranger lost all presence of mind, and at 
 once vigorously wrenched the hare from his embrace, and 
 threw her far away from him. Immediately the dog gave 
 chase, and she bounded up the glen towards the old hag's 
 cabin with the speed of lightning, the greyhound gaining 
 on her at every stretch, but frequently balked of his prey, 
 by her occasioned doublings. At last she reached the cabin, 
 the window of which lay open, ^hile the woods around 
 echoed the vengeful screams of the wild cats. However, 
 just as the terrified hare had jumped on to the window-sill, 
 the greyhound was so close on her trail, that with open 
 jaws he seized her hindmost leg, and his sharp teeth severed 
 it completely from the body. Having thus narrowly escaped 
 capture, the hare reached the interior, when the window 
 casement suddenly closed down and excluded her pursuer. 
 Following up the chase with the keen interest of a 
 sportsman. Watt was soon on the scene, and he heard 
 piteous wailings from within the hag's cabin. Raising the 
 latch, he entered, and found only the occupant of his 
 acquaintance in a bed, but with the stump of her amputated 
 limb extended from the covering, and blood streaming from 
 it in great profusion. He now well knew, that she was a 
 sorceress, who had assumed the form of a hare for some 
 unaccountable purpose he could not divine ; and therefore 
 he thought it best to get away with all haste from the 
 cottage, unheeding her screams and entreaties to remain 
 and bandage her limb, as otherwise she must bleed to 
 
 F
 
 82 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 death. In the flurry of the moment, he left the door open, 
 and calling away the greyhound, both followed the bridle- 
 road down the wooded glen. No sooner had the hag been 
 left alone, than the troop of wild cats entered the cabin, 
 and finding its former occupant maimed and helpless, they 
 fell upon her, scratched and gnawed her to that degree, 
 that she perished miserably. Only her mangled remains 
 were found the next day, when such a ghastly discovery 
 was made. 
 
 Every vestige of the cabin tenanted by the sorceress has 
 long since disappeared ; even the grand forest trees have 
 been cut down, with the exception of a stripe of wood-land, 
 which winds down the rugged glen, on either side of the 
 gurgling stream, that separates the over-topping Slieve 
 Dubh from the Middle Mountain of lesser elevation. In 
 our school-boy days, it was a famous haunt for thrushes and 
 blackbirds ; while their melodious throats sent warbling 
 thrills to betoken Summer's approach in the leafy screens, 
 and other feathered minstrels were emulous to rival in vocal 
 efforts those more admired songsters of the grove. We 
 know not if the Shanachie's cosy tenement is yet in posses- 
 sion of any member of his family, for long since he has been 
 gathered to the graves of his kindred. The sports and 
 rambles of childhood soon pass away to engage us in more 
 serious and responsible pursuits ; seldom do we revisit the 
 scenes of infancy, when duty calls to a distant sphere of 
 labour. While a brief interval sometimes affords time and 
 leisure to renew an acquaintance with well remembered 
 localities, how seldom do we find all our former playmates 
 and companions of olden times there living. Then do 
 unwelcome regrets overshadow the remembrances of by- 
 gone days, and we feel how swiftly the annual revolutions 
 have passed, and are passing, with a train of reflections 
 sobered and subdued, while gazing on the varied beauties 
 of places so lovingly associated with the friends and resorts 
 of our early youth.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. S^ 
 
 No. XXIV. 
 aifit iFool's iFantagies, 
 
 LEGEND OF CLOONFUSH, COUNTY OF GALWAY. 
 
 " The charm dissolves apace ; 
 And as the morning steals upon the night, 
 Melting the darkness, so their rising senses 
 Begin to chase the ignorant fumes that mantle 
 Their clearer reason." 
 
 — William Shakespeare's Tempest, Act v., scene i. 
 
 At whatever point of the compass a traveller from the other 
 three provinces of Ireland arrives in Connaught, he is 
 introduced to a stretch of country flat and monotonous, 
 singularly devoid of swelling hills and winding valleys, 
 even where the sluggish rivers and rivulets pour their waters 
 into the "spacious Shenan spreading like a sea," to use the 
 descriptive words of the poet Spenser. Though scanty yet 
 sweet herbage crowns the pastures of light soil, the lime- 
 stone is to be seen cropping up in ledges of grey and dreary 
 rock, with moor and morass frequently extending their 
 desolate-looking wastes, hardly relieved by a sheltering 
 wood-land, or even by a luxurious hedge-row. Bare walls 
 cross the fields in various directions, and so loosely built, 
 that the stones seem poised lightly on each other, with 
 openings between that give partial views of the sheep-walks 
 beyond their bounds. 
 
 In the midst of such a landscape, and on a slight elevation, 
 the old archiepiscopal cityof Tuam rises around its market- 
 square and market-house, where its best edifices are grouped; 
 while near these are the imposing tower and cruciform 
 structure of the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the College 
 of St. Jarlath. The former Protestant Cathedral has ceased 
 to be an archiepiscopal one, since the Church Reform Act, 
 when the separate dioceses of Killala and Achonry were 
 annexed to the See of Tuam. There is still a small and 
 well-built church, standing on the site of a former very 
 ancient one, and near it in the surrounding graveyard are 
 some remnants of antiquity, especially the famed and intri- 
 cately-carved Cross of Tuam. From the central area of the 
 town, five chief streets radiate in various directions, and 
 terminate in rows of wretched thatched cabins as they
 
 84 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 emerge on the open roads. At present, the town of Tuam 
 has a poverty-stricken appearance ; although of late years 
 some building improvements have been effected. 
 
 When the old mail-coaches were running, the population 
 larger, and the market-place more crowded with the pro- 
 ducts of an agricultural country surrounding it, on the 
 occasion of fairs and markets, the streets presented a 
 bustling and business-like appearance. Moreover, the 
 characters and customs of an older generation were more 
 primitive and peculiar, before the railway of later introduc- 
 tion effected its economic and social changes. In those 
 former times, a strange and wild-looking scarecrow figure, 
 known as Crazy Paudeen, was ever to be seen skipping 
 about during the day, and where he rested at night, few of 
 the townspeople seemed to know or care. Now the parti- 
 cular costume he affected was a high conical and peaked 
 huntsman's cap, of faded velvet, and a stained loosely-fitting 
 body-coat of scarlet cloth, much the worse for wear, with 
 nether habiliments of tarnished buckskin. However, his 
 legs and feet were bare, which circumstance gave great 
 freedom to his movements. He also bore in his hand a 
 huntsman's whip, with a long leathern thong and lash, 
 which he had learned to wield and crack with great 
 dexterity. This exercise seemed to afford him a special 
 delight. All those properties mentioned were gifts bestowed 
 on him by the Galway Blazers ; for Paudeen never missed 
 a single one of their fox-hunting meetings, and although a 
 pedestrian, he was so alert and sound-chested, that he was 
 able to keep in view, and to halloo with the hounds from 
 their starting of Reynard to the finish of the chase, no 
 matter how quick the pace or how long continued. Nay 
 more: his enthusiasm was unbounded, when the field of 
 sportsmen was fairly under way, and as each of these in 
 succession topped and cleared the fences on their course, 
 a snap of his fingers and a triumphant shout announced his 
 admiration of the feat. 
 
 When not engaged, in the exciting sport of the chase, 
 Paudeen was usually to be seen lounging about the hotel 
 stables in town. He had a most affectionate regard for 
 horses, and helped the ostlers there to groom and feed them, 
 while waiting the arrival of the Dublin Mail Coach on its 
 way to Casllcbar. It was always a mystery to him, why the 
 two large hind wheels could never overtake the two foremost 
 small ones ; and when the horses were put to, and the
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 85 
 
 driver set the coach in motion, it aroused his indignation to 
 find, that the big lazy fellows could never gain an inch on 
 the active little wheels in advance of them. From the town 
 and for miles along the road to Castlebar, Paudeen would 
 run from one hind wheel to the other, cracking his whip 
 menacingly, and in reproachful words trying to rouse them 
 to better effort, while these antics afforded the greatest 
 amusement to the passengers and spectators. When tired 
 with such vain endeavours, he turned back to town ; but, it 
 was only to have his anger again incited, by the gibes and 
 nicknames of young urchins escaped from school, and who 
 thought themselves nimble enough to scamper round corners 
 and through lanes from Paudeen's vengeance. This was 
 immediately manifested by taking up any stones he found 
 on the street, and hurling them with all his force against 
 the juvenile offenders. Such outbursts of passion were 
 dreaded by the more respectable inhabitants of the town ; 
 since if the stones missed their intended aim, they frequently 
 flew crashing through shop and parlour windows ; nor could 
 any person hope to obtain damages for losses sustained 
 from the irresponsible individual who had unthinkingly 
 caused them. 
 
 Another of Paudeen's freaks was to issue out on clear 
 moonlight nights, and when seeing his own shadow behind 
 or before him to mutter some threat, which he hoped would 
 make it move off, and then finding it to disregard his 
 warning, he struck out into a boxing attitude, which the 
 shadow imitated. His fury was then greatly inflamed, and 
 he struck the dark impression on the road with his knuckles 
 might and main until these bled profusely. Again, he was 
 often seen by the neighbours wandering alone, and talking 
 incoherently to some imaginary persons in the air, while 
 gesticulating violently and with apparent passion. When 
 soothed and spoken to, these fits passed away; but the 
 flights of his imagination were still unchecked. Some 
 extravagant story he would also relate, about adventures in 
 which he had been engaged, and with beings belonging to 
 an invisible world. The country people believe, that inno- 
 cent or demented creatures like Paudeen have some close 
 ■relations with the fairies, and therefore he was always 
 treated with compassion and respect, not unmingled with 
 fear, on account of his capricious temper ; but, at whatever 
 farmer's or cottier's house he called, a kindly welcome with 
 bed and board was cordially given, so long as he chose to
 
 86 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 Stay. To one so restless and roaming in disposition, this 
 was seldom more than for a day or night. 
 
 About two miles southwards from Tuam, there is an 
 ancient burial-place in the townland of Cloonfush, and the 
 fragment of a ruined church called Teampul Jarlaithe yet 
 remains in it. The spot is lonely and exposed, while inter- 
 ments there are now only those of unbaptised infants. Yet 
 the people have a tradition, that St. Jarlath built his first 
 monastery and established a school at Cloonfush, before he 
 removed for final settlement to Tuam. Thither Paudeen 
 was accustomed to resort, and he was often found there 
 sitting on a rude head-stone, and generally talking to 
 himself. One evening, late in autumn, he strolled out to 
 Cloonfush, and having had much racing during that day, 
 he felt greatly fatigued. Stretching himself under the 
 fragment of the old church, he continued there during the 
 whole of that night. 
 
 A comfortable farm-stead in the neighbourhood was 
 tenanted by the Widow Mullally, and her grown-up sons 
 and daughters. As the mistress of the house and her family 
 were always very kind to Paudeen, whenever he rambled 
 that way ; so he often made their house a halting-place, 
 and with the inmates he was unusually vivacious and 
 communicative. As the Mullallys were early risers, and as 
 the cold night air had served greatly to stimulate the crazy 
 one's appetite, he had wit enough to know where he should 
 find a good breakfast ; and accordingly, he hastened to the 
 open door, which he entered with the usual country saluta- 
 tion, " God save all here." " Musha God save you kindly," 
 returned the good-natured widow, "and yer welcome, 
 I'audeen, bud fhwat brought ye out so early in the 
 raornin'?" "Trot an' Mrs. Mullally, alanna, I slep' all 
 night in de ould churchyard, an' I didn't get much of a 
 supper yistherday evenin' afore I left Tuam, so dat I'm 
 cruel hungry now for a bit of breakwust." " An' that ye'U 
 have with a heart and a half, and in less nor a jiffy," returned 
 the hospitable widow, as she vigorously stirred a pot of 
 stirabout boiling on the fire, told her daughter Mary to 
 spread the table, lay on the noggins of milk, and prepare 
 the big dish for the seething oatmeal, then quite cooked 
 and ready for family consumption. 
 
 All sat down to the wholesome and comfortable meal, to 
 which Paudeen especially did ample justice, and afterwards, 
 when placed in the ingle-nook beside a fine blazing turf
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 87 
 
 fire, Mrs. Mullally, in her own agreeable manner opened 
 the conversation : " Whethen, Paudeen avic, what induced 
 ye to sleep out in the cowld churchyard last night, when ye 
 knew we'd be only too glad to give ye supper and a bed 
 here, and a hearty welcome to boot?" " Bedad an' I'll tell 
 ye dat, ma'am," replied Paudeen, who was always delighted 
 to gratify his kind hostess. "I knew dere was an ould villayn 
 about de place, an' planin' mischief for yees all here, an' I 
 intinded to watch for him, an' give him de lent and bret of 
 de whip across de showlders."' " And who was he, Paudeen, 
 dear ?" insinuatingly inquired the Widow Mullally. " Faix 
 an' dat I didn't know, ma'am, bud shure enough I found 
 him out, de vagabone, an' med him pay for his villayney. 
 Now, jist listen, an' I'll tell ye the whole shtory." 
 
 Accordingly Mrs. Mullally and her children, not a little 
 amused and interested, drew their chairs in a semicircle 
 round the fire, in an attitude of attention to the expected 
 narrative ; for they noticed Paudeen's eyes dilate and his 
 features lighting up with the usual excited expression, 
 when he had any important information to convey. His 
 tone of voice gradually raised and his tongue increased in 
 volubility, while his imagination and feelings glowed as he 
 proceeded ; for his indignation could not be restrained, 
 when he recounted the evil doings of the miscreant he had 
 so lately encountered. 
 
 " Fhwy din as I was stretched on de ground near de 
 ould church wall, who turns de corner on me bud a big 
 ugly joynt of a fella, and he looked very impedint at me, 
 and axed what brought me dere. I toult him it was none 
 of his business to know, an' dat he wasn't to be saucy to 
 me, big a fellah as he was. I den took up de whip and 
 med a slash at him acrass de shins, and to keep him out of 
 de way. Thin he got afeard of me, and looked up in de 
 shky for help. He saw a big black cloud dere like a horse, 
 and he called id down, and thin threw his leg over its back, 
 an' catched its mane. Up dey both flew among de shtars, 
 an' as dey raced along, I saw de joynt pullin' de shtars out 
 o' deir places an' puttin' dem one by one into his pockets. 
 ' Shtop dat work,' siz I, ' you bloody tief ; is it wantin' to 
 take all de shtars from de shky ye are, and hide dem away 
 in yer coat-pocket ?' ' It's not shtars dey are,' siz he, ' bud 
 only silver ; dey big ones are half-crowns, dey middle-size 
 ones are shillins', an' dey little ones sixpences.'" 
 
 " And fwhat did ye say to that, Paudeen?" interjected the
 
 SH IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 widow, winking good-humouredly at the other members of 
 her family. 
 
 " Tare an' agers, ma'am, fwhat did I say, bud call him a 
 bloody liar, an' I towlt him to lave de shtars in deir places.' 
 ' Dey don't belong to any body,' siz he, ' an' I'll gether dim 
 all up an' keep dim myself.' 
 
 "Din I shouted louder at him nor afore,' an' axed him 
 what right he had to dim, an' dat fwhen he'd come down 
 may be I wouldn't impty his pockets and horsewhip him 
 for his tieven.' Bud he only laughed at me, an' kept on at 
 his work, until he picked up every shtar as he wint along, 
 an' fwhen his pockets were full, he ran off on his horse 
 through de shky at de rate of a hunt, an' id was so dark 
 thin, I lost sight of his thracks, an' de teivin' pickpocket 
 med his escape. Now Mrs. Mullally, alanna, if ye go out 
 of doors, ye'll see he didn't lave a single shtar in de shky 
 dat he didn't take away wid him.'" 
 
 " He was a great rogue, no doubt, Paudeen," replied the 
 widow, " bud I wouldn't mind him any more, if I was you, 
 and let him go about his business, my boy." 
 
 " Yerra, ma'am, dat ud be only to rob and shtale from 
 all de neighbours. No, no, Mrs. Mullally, I'll just shtart 
 for town, an' inform de polls, about his doin's an' sind dim 
 out to ketch him and put him in jail," and jumping up 
 instantly, Paudeen rushed out of the house, and on to the 
 high road, without further leave-taking. According to the 
 bent of his prevailing fantasy, and in a mood of great elation, 
 putting the left shoulder forward, and raising a smart trot, 
 he ke})t plying the whip vigorously with his right hand, and 
 muttering threats of vengeance against the giant of the 
 previous night. While thus preparing to speed the ends of 
 justice against the transgressor, by lodging information with 
 the chief constable in Tuam, on his arrival there the deposi- 
 tions were taken with an assumed gravity, which assured 
 him, that the culprit of his imagination should soon become 
 a prisoner, and be brought to trial before judge and jury.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 89 
 
 No. XXV. 
 
 C:ipperar8 Cactics. 
 
 LEGENDS OF UPPER AND LOWER ORMOND, COUNTY OF 
 TIPPERARY. 
 
 " Within that land was many a malcontent, 
 Who cursed the tyranny to which he bent ; 
 That soil full many a wringing despot saw, 
 Who worked his wantonness in form of law. 
 Long war without and frequent broil within 
 Had made a path for blood and giant sin." 
 
 — Lord George Gordon Noel Byron's Lara. 
 Canto ii., sect. viii. 
 
 " You're free to share his scanty meal, 
 His plighted word he'll never vzxy — 
 In vain they tried with goM and steel 
 To shake the Faith of Tipperary !" 
 — Thomas Davis' National Ballads and Songs. 
 Part, i , Tipperary. 
 
 Among the most fertile of Irish Counties that of Tipperary 
 claims a foremost place, and although no special historical 
 or statistical account of it has yet been written, still it had 
 been the theatre of remarkable events from a period most 
 remote, even to our own days. There ruled the Kings of 
 Desmond or South Munster, in their regal fortalice of 
 Cashel, proudly rising on its insulated limestone Rock. It 
 was also the seat of a bishop, in early Christian ages, while 
 in mediaeval times, it had been elevated to metropolitan 
 distinction. Flourishing towns have grown up in various 
 districts, and roads kept in excellent condition connect 
 them ; the different parishes abound in agricultural and 
 pastoral resources ; the River Suir and its tributaries flow 
 amid rich and smiling valleys, through all its length ; the 
 crested mountains and hills are many and of beautiful 
 outline ; while taken altogether, few Counties in Ireland 
 present more or greater attractions. 
 
 In Cromwellian times the lands of Tipperary changed 
 owners to a large extent, and the original proprietors were 
 obliged to surrender their possessions to a new class of 
 colonists. The parliamentary soldiers, who had served in 
 Ireland, obtained Land-debentures, which entitled them to 
 possess portions of the confiscated estates in lieu of pay
 
 90 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 which was in arrear. Many of them remained as settlers in> 
 that county ; others sold their portions to a different class 
 of adventurers, who became residents and occupied the 
 lands. The history of these transactions is well set forth 
 in John P. Prendergast's admirable work, "The Cromwellian 
 Settlement of Ireland ;" and, for the fullest particulars of 
 such transactions, the reader is referred to it, as giving the 
 truest account regarding the confiscations and colonization, 
 which took place in and after the middle of the seventeenth 
 century. It is evident, from what is recorded, and also from 
 what remains of their former mansions, that many of those 
 settlers were men of energy and enterprise, who expended 
 largely in buildings and land-improvement. By degrees, 
 the native peasantry were permitted to become tenants, and 
 to erect houses of their own, but with such restrictions of 
 tenure and political independence as created animosities 
 between the races, and which grew into disorders and 
 crimes, promoted by an intolerant ascendancy class. These 
 circumstances gave rise to secret and illegal confederacies 
 among the peasantry, who thus endeavoured to redress their 
 grievances, and to remove those exactions, for which law and 
 its administration provided no remedy. 
 
 The Baronies of Upper and Lower Ormond occupy 
 position in the north-western part of the County, closed in 
 towards the north and west by the River Shannon, and the 
 wide-spreading waters of Lough Derg ; while to the south 
 and east, the remarkable outlines of the Devil's Bit Moun- 
 tains form the general boundary. A whimsical story prevails 
 among the peasantry, that travelling once through that 
 region and feeling very hungry, his Satanic majesty took 
 away a great portion of the mountain in his teeth, leaving 
 behind him that singular-looking gap, — such an object of 
 curiosity to all travellers ; but, finding the Bit indigestible, 
 he dropped it at a considerable distance to the south, where 
 it afterwards formed the celebrated Rock of Cashel. What- 
 ever degree of credit may attach to such a story, it is certain, 
 that rich fields and comfortable dwellings aie to be seen 
 throughout the Baronies of Upper and Lower Ormond; the 
 stately castellated mansions of the planters — mostly built 
 during the reign of Charles II. — often rise to the view, but 
 long since they have been deserted and are in a ruined 
 condition. Modern villa-residences arc numerous, and 
 sheltered within well-stocked demesnes or lawns, handsomely 
 ornamented with trees of fine growth. These houses are
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 9I 
 
 usually tenanted by the resident proprietor or gentleman- 
 farmer, who gives employment to the cottier peasant and 
 his family; while the farmers manage their several holdings 
 with skill and industry. To such economical and thrifty 
 habits, however, there are some exceptions, which must 
 always be the case, as the dispositions of men are so differ- 
 ently directed. Moreover, it must be stated, that several of 
 the Tipperary gentry and landlords have been kind and 
 indulgent to their tenantry and dependents, so as to merit 
 respect and affection from them ; while the reciprocal 
 relations existing between both classes were established by 
 fair dealing and good feeling, which differences of creed or 
 politics never disturbed. 
 
 Within our own generation, the social life of Tipperary 
 was peculiar, and influenced much by the conditions of 
 land-holding, which set all chance of improvement at 
 defiance. As in all other parts of Ireland, the owners of 
 real estate never considered it their duty to expend money 
 on the building of houses suitable for holdings, to fence or 
 preserve boundaries of fields, at their own expense, or to 
 effect any arrangement, that might add sightliness and 
 permanent value to their lands ; as a matter of course, and 
 with few exceptions, the tenants were allowed to occupy 
 the thatched dwellings erected by their predecessors on the 
 farm, or put up by themselves, and in which every plan 
 dictated by taste and comfort must be set at nought and 
 sacrificed to cheapness and emergency, while their fields 
 were only half-cultivated and left nearly in their natural 
 state, for want of means to deepen or fertilize the soil. Fox 
 hunting, racing and field sports were the chief occupations 
 of the resident gentry ; while the owners of large estates 
 lived abroad, scarcely ever visiting those places, from which 
 their rents had been drawn, and with little knowledge of 
 the persons or habits of their tenants. 
 
 Many of the gentry or their progenitors had lived in a 
 style too extravagant for their incomes; heavy mortgages 
 were on their estates ; the rents which were fairly moderate 
 under former leases, on their expiration, were arbitrarily 
 raised ; as grand jurors and magistrates they had absolute 
 power to regulate the statute laws, so as to suit their 
 inclinations or convenience; to question their authority or its 
 exercise was deemed an insolence and a practice not to be 
 tolerated. Constant communications were interchanged 
 between themselves and the authorities at Dublin Castle ;
 
 92 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 the informations of abandoned and perjured informers were 
 forwarded just as these were inclined to trade on the fears 
 and prejudices of their patrons, while the public money was 
 furnished in return and secretly distributed, to keep such 
 wretches in pay. The rents were rigorously exacted, the 
 law of distress or eviction being invoked, in too many 
 instances, to intensify the bitterness, which existed between 
 the owners and cultivators of the soil, and often at times 
 when unexpected difficulties arose to prevent the exact 
 fulfilment of a contract. 
 
 Under such conditions the tenants had no motive nor 
 heart for highly cultivating their farms or improving their 
 dwellings and out-offices. Nay more : it was their interest 
 and policy to appear poorly clothed, to hoard their money 
 in an unproductive manner as provision or marriage portions 
 for sons or daughters, while their dietary though plain was 
 abundant and nutritious, but rarely consisting of animal 
 food. The hovels of agricultural labourers were wretched 
 in the extreme, and their lives were eked out in a miserable 
 state of unrest and anxiety, without any reasonable hope 
 of bettering their condition. Oftentimes seasons proved 
 unfavourable, and crops failed — sometimes in succession ; 
 unforeseen calamities frequently rendered it difficult to 
 meet the gale-day ; nevertheless, agents, bailiffs and rent- 
 warners were exacting, and evictions followed to such an 
 extent as to excite evil passions and to disturb social re- 
 lations. Agrarian outrages and murders were frequently the 
 result, and in those times, Tipperary had acquired an evil 
 repute from prejudiced persons, who had not cared closely 
 to examine the origin and condition of existing affiiirs. 
 
 The first great check given to the ascendancy party in 
 Tipperary was when the Melbourne administration came 
 into power, and appointed Lord Mulgrave Irish Viceroy, 
 with Lord Morpeth, Chief Secretary, and Thomas Drum- 
 mond, Under Secretary for Ireland. The latter was a 
 Scotchman, but long resident in the country and thoroughly 
 conversant with the dependent condition of the people, as 
 also with the power and proclivities of their oppressors. 
 Between both classes, he was resolved to keep the balance 
 of justice and protection even ; yet, such a course of 
 ))roceeding was bitterly resented and violently impeached 
 l)y the landlords and the magistrates, who called for police, 
 for coercive measures, and powers to prosecute domiciliary 
 searches, urging constant exaggerated representations of
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 95 
 
 outrage and intimidation, which were completely at variance 
 with official information received by the government. How- 
 ever, it was well known, that those clamours proceeded 
 from factions and party motives, to preserve their own 
 irresponsible privileges, to resist any measures for the aboli- 
 tion of Tithes, or to prevent the introduction of a Poor Law. 
 which should oblige the levying of a rate for support of the 
 poor on land-owners. The restraints imposed on Orangeism 
 — then declared to be illegal — was bitterly resented ; while 
 charges were made, that the General Association of 
 O'Connell was allowed to send his pacificators in every 
 direction, where crime required to be repressed, and to 
 carry on an agitation openly and constitutionally for the 
 redress of existing grievances. 
 
 At a meeting of Tipperary magistrates held in Cashel,. 
 April 7th, 183S, on the occasion of Mr. Austin Cooper's 
 murder, a representation was made to His Excellency Earl 
 Mulgrave, that neither life nor property was safe in that 
 part of the country, and that juries were intimidated at trials 
 of the incriminated from returning just verdicts. An inquiry 
 was instituted to ascertain what evidence could be adduced 
 to establish the truth of such charges ; and in a celebrated 
 letter, written by Thomas Drummond to the Earl of 
 Donoughmore, Lord Lieutenant of the County, and dated 
 Dublin Castle, 22nd May 1838, the statements made were 
 entirely disproved, while returns of the police showed that 
 crime had decreased, although the number of ejectments in 
 1837 was not less than double the number of these in 1833. 
 However, the sorest reflection on the memorialists was that 
 contained in the celebrated axiom then introduced ; " Pro- 
 perty has its duties as well as its rights ; to the neglect of 
 those duties in times past is mainly to be ascribed that 
 diseased state of society in which such crimes take their 
 rise ; and it is not in the enactment or enforcement of 
 statutes of extraordinary severity, but chiefly in the better 
 and more faithful performance of those duties, and the more 
 enlightened and humane exercise of those rights, that a 
 permanent remedy for such disorders is to be sought." The 
 reflections contained in this letter were such, that the Lord 
 Lieutenant and magistrates of Tipperary studiously sup- 
 pressed it, until afterwards brought to light in the Committee 
 moved for by Lord Roden in the House of Lords, and 
 appointed to inquire into the nature and causes of Irish 
 disturbances.
 
 94 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 With a gentleman, who lived in this part of Tipperary, 
 we were intimate ; and on one of our visits to his residence, 
 we remained some days, so as to take short excursions or 
 walks through that neighbourhood, with which he was quite 
 
 familiar. Mr. R was very popular, and although 
 
 renting the house and farm where he lived, he had lately 
 come into possession of a handsome property, purchased in 
 the Encumbered Estates' Court, and which was then tenanted 
 by some dozen or more of comfortable farmers. These he 
 was in the habit of constantly visiting, in their houses and 
 in the fields, aiding them with his sage advice, and through 
 his shrewd observations giving them many useful hints 
 regarding the proper management and cultivation of land, 
 as also in the rearing of cattle and stock. We were pleased 
 to observe the cordial relations existing between himself 
 and the tenants, who seemed willing enough to adopt any 
 suggestions he made, and which they knew to have been 
 prompted by good sense and a desire for their interests and 
 welfare. 
 
 Before he had become a landed proprietor, Mr. R 
 
 was agent for a lady, the owner of a considerable estate, 
 which adjoined his own, and of which his homestead and 
 farm formed a portion. During the most disturbed times 
 in Tipperary, he was obliged to manage that property, so 
 as to secure the rents and to receive them in a bulk sum or 
 by instalments for its owner, to keep up good relations 
 between herself and the tenants, and still more, to direct 
 the operations on his own large farm, which, as a principle 
 of policy, he held at a high rent. He related many 
 anecdotes of an exceedingly interesting character, which 
 served to furnish an idea regarding the life-conditions of 
 which he had experience, and which proved sufficiently 
 how difficult and troublesome these were in many instances. 
 Nevertheless, he had ready resources of thought to cope 
 with them. 
 
 By way of illustrating the subject of conversation, he led 
 the writer to a farmer's house on the road-side, and near an 
 old ruinous mansion, that formerly belonged to the cele- 
 brated Sir Toby Butler, in the beginning of the last century. 
 The farmer, an elderly man, was busily engaged at that 
 time in getting his stacks of grain erected in the haggard, 
 
 and no sooner did he see Mr. R approach, tlian he 
 
 hastened down from the stack, and with demonstrations of 
 cordial welcome, he came to meet us. A hearty shake of
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 95 
 
 the hand was g;iven to each visitor, and we were invited to 
 enter the house. There we were pressed very earnestly to 
 take some refreshment, and we chose glasses of delicious 
 fresh milk for a beverage, although strongly recommended 
 by our host in the first instance, to have something still 
 stronger from a black bottle which he placed on the table. 
 Friendly inquiries and conversation ensued, and when infor- 
 mation was given and obtained, on suVijects of personal and 
 common interest, we took leave of our good-natured host, 
 and expressed our sense of his kindly hospitality. 
 
 As we walked along, Mr. R gave me the following 
 
 account regarding the personal relations between our enter- 
 tainer and himself. In the troubled times, he was one of 
 those tenants who fell into arrear, and while negligent and 
 unthrifty in the business of farming, he was rather too social 
 on the occasions of attending fairs and markets — often 
 returning home in a state of excitement and intoxication. 
 Such habits grew upon him rather than decreased. Like 
 most persons so addicted, he was hardly aware, that he 
 indulged to any great degree ; although his friends, and 
 
 among them Mr. R , often advised him to avoid drinking 
 
 companions, to keep much at home, and to devote more of 
 his time to industry and economy. All this advice seemed 
 to produce no change in his mode of life, and by degrees 
 he fell into arrear when the rent became due, and still 
 always held out promises and the hope that it should be 
 paid at a more convenient time. lie was warned of the 
 consequences, should he not redeem those promises, and in 
 the most friendly manner ; yet still deeper did he sink into 
 debt, with all who might trust him, and the less was pre- 
 sented any prospect of clearing off his arrears. At last, 
 
 he was informed by Mr. R that a process of ejectment 
 
 from his holding must be taken out against him, as no effort 
 had been made to fulfil his obligations to that lady, upon 
 whose estate he lived. Notice was accordingly served, but 
 still no sign of settlement was forthcoming. 
 
 One morning, Mr. R received a letter, badly spelled, 
 
 and through the Post Office. It warned him personally not 
 to imitate the example of other tyrannical agents in Tip- 
 perary, as otherwise he would be visited or attacked by 
 ** the boys," when he least expected it, and that vengeance 
 would be taken on him, for turning a poor man out from 
 his house and home. As an illustration to this threat, the 
 sketch of a coffin was rudely traced at the bottom, and the
 
 96 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 document was signed "Terry Alt.'' Now it did not require 
 
 the shrewdness of Mr. R to divine the quarter whence 
 
 the missive came, or to infer from its wording the identity 
 of its writer. Accordingly, taking the letter with him, Mr. 
 
 R visited the home of the tenant in arrear, who 
 
 exhibited signs of visible embarrassment when he appeared, 
 yet thinking to conceal it by an air of affected indifference. 
 However, his visitor began to address him in a good- 
 humoured manner, and in such terms as these. " Paddy,"' 
 for so he was called, " I always thought you were my good 
 friend, and that you had more sense than to write the foolish 
 letter, I got from you this morning. Didn't you know, I 
 had only to place it in the hands of the police, to bring you 
 into trouble ; but, as I completely disregard whatever is 
 stated in a letter to which the writer is afraid or ashamed 
 to add his name, and as I well knew from the phrases it 
 contained, that you had written it under the influence of 
 drink, I now come to put it into your own hands, to do 
 whatever you please with it. However, you must know, 
 that I cannot give you any favour, but what the most honest 
 and industrious tenants on the estate deserve ; and more- 
 over, my duty to the lady who owns it demands, that if you 
 are to hold the farm, the rent must be paid, especially as you 
 well know, that for much better land than I cultivate, you 
 are not charged per acre half what I very willingly and 
 punctually pay her. Now, like a good fellow, as I know 
 you to be, let me advise you to mend your habits of life, to 
 take the Temperance pledge, and to mind the business of 
 your farm for the future. If you do this, as I require you, 
 1 shall still give you some further time for the payment of 
 your rent arrears, which I will take from you in convenient 
 instalments, and help you in every way to be as independent 
 and comfortable as are the other honest and industrious 
 tenants, who all pay whenever the gale falls due. Now, as 
 you have done a foolish act, of which you should feel 
 thoroughly ashamed, none shall be the wiser of what has 
 passed between you and me, in this instance ; here is your 
 wretched letter, and keep or show it to others, just as you 
 think best." During the whole of this discourse, the 
 incriminated man coloured deeply, for he was agitated with 
 contending emotions. Then taking the letter he tore it into 
 small pieces, which he scattered to the winds, as he replied : 
 
 *' Mr. R you're the gintleman I always knew you to 
 
 he, and I'll folly your advice, and pay you every penny of
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 97 
 
 the rent I owe. Only let nobody know I was such a blasted 
 scoundrel as to write that letther, and all on account of that 
 damned dhrink, and the devil a dhrop more of it I'll ever 
 take, for it's the ruination of us all." As he spoke these 
 
 words, his eyes filled with tears, and he pressed Mr. R 's 
 
 hand in token of gratitude when he was about to leave. 
 
 That gentleman assured me, our friend thenceforth be- 
 came a different manner of man, in the latter part of his 
 life. He fulfilled the promise made to take Father Mathew's 
 pledge of Total Abstinence from the curate of his parish ; 
 he became most regular in the discharge of his Christian 
 duties ; he acquired habits of industry and thrift ; while in 
 due course, and with some indulgence granted, he wiped 
 out all arrears of rent due, and never omitted to pay half- 
 yearly his current account. He was then in comfortable 
 circumstances, and greatly esteemed by all his neighbours. 
 
 Parting with his agency lessened not the interest Mr. R 
 
 took in that farmer's concerns, but none were conversant 
 with that accident, which was the turning point in his 
 conversion ; for the writer was assured, it had been kept 
 between them as a profound secret, and only then revealed, 
 because it was not likely to cause any prejudice to the 
 character or honour of either party. Both have passed from 
 life many years back ; but a record of that incident illus- 
 trates a peculiar phase of Irish social customs, and serves 
 to prove, that a thoughtful act done or a kind word season- 
 ably spoken to the rudest peasant, may reach the soul and 
 conscience of one, whose evil habits of living had been 
 considered too deep-rooted and inveterate for reformation. 
 
 The writer was brought with some friends about the same 
 time to the residence of a gentleman in that neighbourhood, 
 and then an absentee from a property offered for sale. The 
 
 house stood within a handsome demesne, and Mr. R 
 
 was intimate with the owner in former days. We knocked 
 at the front entrance, and after a little delay, a window 
 opened on the upper story. A woman who was the sole 
 occupant having reconnoitred the besieging force, and 
 seeing there were ladies of the party, came down to admit 
 
 us within the mansion. Mr. R spoke to her in a 
 
 friendly manner, inquired about her name — for the accent 
 assured us she was an English woman — her length of 
 residence in Ireland, and the name of her husband, then 
 engaged on some out-door business — for work seemed to be 
 altogether suspended around that beautiful place. Then 
 
 G
 
 98 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 having inquired about her master, and thus ingratiated 
 himself into favour with the domestic, we were shown 
 through the deserted apartments. Last of all, we lingered 
 for a time in the drawingroom and diningroom, on the 
 
 ground-floor, where Mr. R had formerly passed many 
 
 a social evening with the owner of the mansion. He then 
 amused the house-keeper, as he did ourselves, by going 
 over to the window-shutters, which were elegantly pannelled 
 and decorated in front, but when opened from their recesses, 
 one by one, they displayed a heavy mass of iron-sheathing 
 behind, which was certainly quite capable of repelling any 
 bullet of lesser size and momentum than a cannon-shot. 
 The same defensive armour guarded all the windows around 
 the lower story, while the doors were secured by massive 
 chains and bolts within their several lockers. 
 
 Having had a little badinage with the English woman, 
 whose imagination must have been considerably wrought 
 upon by her surroundings, and whose Saxon prejudices 
 were deep-rooted against the Celtic population — probably 
 from seme of the wild tales she had heard of Tipperary life 
 — she very freely confessed to us, that she was heartily tired 
 of Ireland, and that she wished greatly her return to 
 
 England. Mr. R tried in vain to assure her, that if she 
 
 cared to cultivate the acquaintance of the farmers and 
 peasants in the neighbourhood, she would find them both 
 friendly and hospitable — all the more as she was a stranger 
 to their country and its usages. He took leave of her by 
 giving his name and address, with an invitation to her 
 
 husband and herself to visit Mr. and Mrs. R , — who 
 
 were of our party — at their own house, and where they 
 should have a warm welcome. The woman expressed 
 herself thankful for this kindness, and promised so soon as 
 she conveniently could to avail of the invitation. 
 
 On our way homewards, we learned that the owner of 
 that estate had a constant fear of being attacked by night, 
 in that lonely mansion ; and in the troubled times, it was 
 garrisoned by a police force sent from Dublin Castle for his 
 protection. In such contingency, while the lower story of 
 his house had been prepared for defence, in the manner 
 related, he designed to fire from the upper windows on any 
 number of the Terry Alts, who might assemble to attack 
 him. His morbid apprehensions were not realized, however, 
 but he lived in a state of terror from some warnings he had 
 received, and which for aught could be known were sent to
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 99 
 
 him by magisterial spies and pensioned informers of the 
 lowest character. 
 
 Since that time, the conditions of land-tenure have been 
 ameliorated, but they are still far from having reached that 
 degree of perfection to which they might be brought, by 
 just and wise remedial measures of legislation. Several of 
 the former tenants-at-will have become purchasers, and the 
 proprietors of their former rented farms ; the value of land- 
 rental has been determined by arbitration or judicial decision, 
 for a term of years, between landlords and occupiers. 
 However artificial, anomalous and imperfect such a practice 
 may be, expediency required it, in the case of their actual 
 relations ; yet, until indefeasible titles to land are ascertained 
 by judicial investigation, confirmed by decree and registra- 
 tion, with a system of free sale and ready transfer, while 
 through State-aided purchase, by loans rendered remunerative 
 to government and occupying purchasers, no radical reform 
 of Irish land tenure can well be effected. 
 
 A most objectionable practice still prevails in our land 
 courts, when properties are brought into them for sale by 
 their owners, or when necessity calls for the foreclosure of 
 mortgages, in such a manner. In all these cases, if only to 
 uphold the value of land, sale to the highest bona fide bidder 
 should be made absolute and without reserve. Moreover, 
 a standing rule of court should be, to sell such properties, 
 and in separate occupied lots, where they are situated, and 
 where their value can best be ascertained by intending 
 purchasers, at or before the date of sale. There the actual 
 tenant can afford to outbid all competitors in price, since 
 he receives a government loan for the purchase, which he 
 will not fail to redeem, with principal and interest. To 
 pretend that a property does not realize its full selling value 
 under such conditions is only to deceive bidders, uselessly 
 invited to a pretended public sale, and to institute mock 
 auctions. The result of withdrawing an estate or any of its 
 lots from absolute sale, because the expectations of an 
 owner, or a mortgagee, or mortgageor, be not realized, tends 
 only to diminish still more the value of such land held over; 
 since if unencumbered or mortgaged, law expenses must 
 necessarily be incurred, lawyers and agents must be paid, 
 and still have their own private interest in the withdrawal 
 and continuous mismanagement of a deteriorating property 
 until it is finally parted with, by a succeeding sale in the 
 public court, or by private purchase, and at a less remu-
 
 lOO IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 nerative price than could have been realized in the first 
 instance. However, it should prove an almost endless task 
 to comment on the many anomalies and defects of land 
 legislation and land tenure, that still require to be remedied, 
 both in the interests of landlords and tenants; nor at present 
 do we find any serious effort made to remove the artificial 
 and legal difficulties that remain, and which have served to 
 disturb and distract our existing unsocial relations. Yet, it 
 is not only a possible, but quite a practical, business, and a 
 duty still to be accomplished, before harmony can be wholly 
 restored, and land-tenure assimilated to the more rational, 
 simple, and perfect conditions, that regulate it in nearly 
 all the civilized nations and states of the Eastern and 
 Western Hemisphere. The most conservative countries for 
 social peace and order are those, where absolute proprietors 
 are most numerous ; and, in them also must be the fewest 
 absentees, who spend the resources of a country beyond its 
 proper bounds, thus largely contributing to its impoverish- 
 ment and distress. 
 
 No. XXVI. 
 ^tt Battle oC tl^e Cats. 
 
 LEGEND OF IRISHTOWN, COUNTY OF DUBLIN. 
 
 " The dreadful toils of raging Mars I write, 
 The springs of contest, and the fields of fight ; 
 
 Not louder tumults shook Olympus' tow'rs, 
 When earth-born giants dar'd immortal pow'rs. 
 These equal acts an equal glory claim, 
 And thus the Muse records the tale of fame. 
 
 All dreaded these, and dreadful o'er the rest, 
 The potent warriors of the tabby vest." 
 
 — Thomas Parnell ; Battle of the Frogs and Mice, 
 Book i. 
 
 In the medieval times, when the Talesmen were pent 
 within their walled cities and towns throughout Ireland, 
 and when their gates were jealously closed at night against 
 the Irish enemy ; yet were to be found groups of shielings 
 and huts in the immediate vicinity, tenanted by a colony of
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. lOI 
 
 native craftsmen, sutlers and labourers, who ministered to 
 the wants of those burghers engaged in trades or manu- 
 factures. Such villages, as distinguished from houses within 
 the walls and inhabited by the English or Anglo-Irish 
 civilians, were generally known in the aggregate by the 
 designation of Irishtown. As no municipal laws or even 
 proprietorial direction restrained such denizens, so were 
 their cabins and lanes usually detached and scattered about 
 in the most varied forms, and at every imaginable diversity 
 of angle, covering waste spaces, and with hardly any gardens 
 attached. Traces of the original artless grouping may be 
 detected in many existing survivals ; and as suburbs are 
 only the parasites of cities and towns, those offshoots hardly 
 ever keep proportionate pace with the relative improvements 
 of the latter. Especially was it so in Ireland, where social 
 conditions were strained and antagonistic ; race and preju- 
 dice conflicting, mutual jealousy and mistrust predomi- 
 nating. 
 
 Such an Irishtown as we have described has long existed, 
 without the municipal boundaries of Dublin, yet retaining 
 its name on the sea-shore, and near the harbour entrance. 
 For some centuries past, a primitive thatched chapel stood 
 on the site of Mearns' buildings, known as St. Mary's 
 Terrace, and this served as a place of worship for the 
 Roman Catholic inhabitants of the surrounding districts. 
 Even was it resorted to by many of the Dublin people, 
 when no public church was allowed to be erected within 
 the city. During the reign of Queen Anne, the present 
 Protestant Church was erected ; and, at that time, the 
 River Dodder did not join the River Liffey, but rather 
 formed a delta, before it reached Irishtown, while one of its 
 branches ran out upon the strand a little to the north, and 
 the other emptied into the sea immediately behind the 
 present Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Irishtown was 
 then an island, but connected by a bridge with the city. 
 Towards the close of last century, the Dodder was diverted 
 by a sharp bend to form the Grand Canal Basin, and since 
 then, it has made its exit directly north to the River 
 Liffey. 
 
 There are those living, who recollect the small mound- 
 like appearance presented on that site, where the Star of 
 the Sea Church now stands. Both that piece of ground 
 and Leahy Terrace, on the opposite side of the lately-formed 
 road to the strand, were a field, usually cultivated and
 
 102 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 planted with potatoes, by the former proprietor of Cranfield's 
 Baths. These have since disappeared. That site also 
 formed an embankment of the Dodder, at one of its 
 branches, and the sub-soil is curiously composed of coarse 
 boulder-gravel, layers of fine sea-sand, w^ith quantities of 
 cockle and other shell-fish relics abounding. That spot 
 was then termed Scald Hill. Near it, on the strand, was 
 Waxes' Dargle ; because it is said the impecunious shoe- 
 makers, who could not afford to take an outside jaunting-car 
 to the romantic glen near Bray, were able to avail of the 
 twopenny jarvey drive from Dublin to Irishtown, on Easter 
 and Whit Monday, there to dance the merry jig or reel, 
 with their wives, daughters or sweethearts, as the case 
 might be. Of course the local connection with the Wick- 
 low Dargle was only nominal, and the scenery remotely 
 fanciful. 
 
 Somewhat removed, and a little above the Dodder cut, 
 was Haig's Brewery, occupying the present site of the 
 Lansdowne-road Station on the Dublin, Wicklow and 
 Wexford Railway. There is still a deep trench on the 
 river-side, with indications of arches now closed up under 
 the elevated railway embankment. These show where the 
 stored waters above made their course for escape to the 
 running waters below, while the mashing process went on 
 within the Brewery. Such topographical sketches may be 
 necessary to give the reader at a distance some general idea 
 of the ground over which we are to travel. Besides, most 
 judicious historians are accustomed to describe the general 
 features of a battle-field before relating the incidents of an 
 encounter. As the scenes have since changed very con- 
 siderably, and as a remarkable contest has to be recorded 
 in the present legend, with an introduction of the narrator 
 — happily a living authority in the neighbourhood — so may 
 all the particulars be still verified by the curious investigator 
 of folk-lore traditions. 
 
 One of the best, most honest-minded and most industrious 
 of men is John Kearns of Irishtown, and while engaged 
 with his well-cared horse in drawing sand for some building 
 improvements at the Star of the Sea Church, he put the 
 following query to the superintendent: "Did you iver 
 hear the name of this place forty years ago?" The unin- 
 formed person replied, that he did not. " Thin it wint by 
 the name of Scald Hill, afore Dean O'Connell the Parish 
 Priest got the site from the Hon. Sydney Herbert, and thin
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. IO3 
 
 he built the Star. And I'll tell you besides a stranger thing 
 nor that ; for it was here the great Battle of the Cats took 
 place, now a long time ago, and whin Father Corrigan was 
 curate in the Parish, afore it was divided into three, Donny- 
 brook, Haddingdon-road and Irishtown." 
 
 This was an item of information never before conveyed 
 to the superintendent and his men ; so John Kearns was 
 eagerly pressed to tell the story, and all present listened 
 with great attention while he proceeded. 
 
 *' Well thin, one fine summer evenin' towards dusk, when 
 Father Corrigan was comin' home from a sick call to Irish- 
 town along Simonscourt-road — it was a lonely place thin 
 and few houses along the way — he obsarved an exthrordinary 
 number of cats movin' along, and mewin' as if they were 
 grumblin' to one another, and he wondhered where they all 
 kern from, bud he saw they were on the way ahead. Whin 
 he came to Scald Hill, he found it all covered widh other 
 cats, and many were still comin' from different quarthers. 
 There they all set up a thremindous howlin' and screechin'. 
 He thought it mighty quare intirely, but he was tired, and 
 wint home to bed. No sooner was he there, than the noise 
 kep' on at such a rate, that niver a wink he could sleep 
 until afther midnight. Thin the ruction seemed to be over, 
 and he fell asleep, and didn't waken until mornin'. 
 
 " Shure enough, ivery one of the Irishtown people hard 
 the racket as well as Father Corrigan ; bud early next day, 
 word kem to him that the whole of Scald Hill was covered 
 with the dead bodies of cats. They had a great battle over 
 night, and kilt one another in hapes, nor was any of thim 
 known to lave that place alive. Well, so great was the 
 number, that it took six of Haig's Brewery carts to remove 
 and bury them durin' the day ; and the like of that battle 
 was niver known afore nor since, for the cats kem from all 
 parts of Ireland." 
 
 That was a wonderful story, indeed, but one of the hearers 
 inquired how John Kearns was able to prove that the 
 cats came from all parts of Ireland. " I'll tell you the 
 rason," he replied, " one of thim was found vvid a brass 
 collar around its nick, and that had the name of a Galway 
 lady graved on it, so you may be shure whin that was 
 the case, others must have come from places quite as far 
 away. " 
 
 Whether the inference warranted the conclusion or not 
 may be questioned ; but to have placed upon record such a
 
 104 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 narrative, relating to the earlier part of the present century 
 and surviving to its close, must add one more to the quaint 
 old popular traditions, now fast fading from the recollections 
 and grasp of curious or interested folk-lorists. 
 
 No. XXVII. 
 ?^umourg antr ^umovi^U, 
 
 LEGENDS OF BALLYROAN, QUEEN's COUNTY. 
 
 •' Yet he was kind ; or if severe in aught, 
 The love he bore to learning was in fault ; 
 
 While words of learned length, and thundering sound, 
 Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around ; 
 And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, 
 That one small head could carry all he knew. 
 But past is all his fame : the very spot, 
 Where many a time he triumphed, is forgot." 
 
 — Oliver Goldsmith's Deserted Village. 
 
 On the former mail-coach road between Dublin and Cork 
 is situated the village of Ballyroan, giving name also to a 
 parish, having an area of 9,682 acres, in the barony of 
 Cullinagh, Queen's County. That it is an ancient town, 
 formerly under the jurisdiction of the O'Mores, chieftains 
 of Leix, can scarcely be questioned ; for a very remarkable 
 high conical and artificial moat is still to be seen in the 
 immediate vicinity, probably sustaining some sort of fortifi- 
 cation on its summit in former times. A winding path-way 
 affords gradual ascent from below, and trees have been 
 planted along its sides. The earliest known Map of Leix 
 we possess is that to be found in the Cottonian collection 
 of the British Museum, supposed to have been made about 
 1563, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. That it is mis- 
 leading, both in topographical admeasurements and local 
 denominations, must be admitted. Even a copy of that 
 Map, with the names more clearly and correctly written, 
 and now preserved in Trinity College Library, Dublin, 
 labours under similar defects. Although Ballyroan is 
 doubtless to be found marked by some one or other of the 
 castellated figures, near to Coulinogh Mountain ; yet, under
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. IO5 
 
 the blundering designations supplied by the Saxon drafts- 
 man, it is quite impossible to define there with accuracy its 
 exact position. However, after the subjugation of Leix, 
 3.nd when the Hetheringtons became possessors of Bally- 
 roan, it began to grow into a considerable town ; and, in 
 1686, Alderman Preston of Dublin founded there a 
 Protestant Grammar School, endowed with lands in Cappa- 
 loughlan, which he bequeathed for its support, and assigned 
 to trustees for its maintenance. In like manner, he founded 
 a Protestant school at Navan, allowing /^3S> Irish money, 
 as salary for the schoolmaster. Altogether 1,737 acres of 
 land were granted to carry out the bequest of that testator. 
 
 The principal of the school at Ballyroan was a graduate 
 of Trinity College, Dublin, whose salary we may suppose 
 to have varied at times, according to the revenue drawn 
 from the estate, not always judiciously managed by the 
 trustees. From Alderman Preston's foundation, the school 
 was to be aided with £s^> Irish money, per annum. A 
 suit respecting his endowment was commenced in 1734, 
 and for seventy-four years afterwards, the law costs amounted 
 to /"3,ooo. In the Irish Parliament, abuses connected 
 with that endowment were fully set forth before the Com- 
 mittee of Inquiry into abused charities in the House of 
 Lords of 1764; as also before the Education Commissioners 
 of 1 79 1, and before the Royal Commissioners of 1807-12. 
 In conseqi\pnce of those abuses, a special clause was intro- 
 duced into the Act of 1813, 53 George III., chap. 107, 
 sect. 14, vesting the estate in the Commissioners of Educa- 
 tion established under that statute. 
 
 Small and remote as it was, still Ballyroan had its 
 celebrities in days now past, and we have only to open the 
 pages of Sir Jonah Barrington's amusing " Personal 
 Sketches and Recollections of his Own Times" to learn 
 the facetious baronet's relations with its parish. The Rev. 
 Mr. Barrett was rector there during the last century, and 
 he was father to the celebrated and eccentric Rev. Dr. John 
 Barrett, Vice-provost of Dublin University. On the occa- 
 sion of a trial for libel in the King's Bench, happening to 
 be counsel for Theophilus Swift defendant, Sir Jonah was 
 engaged in the cross-examination of Dr. Barrett for more 
 than an hour, without gaining a single point in law or logic 
 from the learned witness he endeavoured to circumvent. 
 At length, he thought to try cajolery and conciliation with 
 the Vice-provost, by stating that his father had christened
 
 I06 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 him Sir Jonah. "Oh! indeed," retorted Dr. Barrett, "I 
 did not know you were a Christian." This unexpected 
 repartee raised such a laugh among his brother barristers, 
 and in the court, that Sir Jonah could not further proceed 
 with his cross-examination, and his client was sentenced to 
 twelve months' imprisonment in the gaol of Newgate. 
 
 In the year 1833, the law-suit connected with Ballyroan 
 School concluded, having lasted for nearly 100 years; and 
 in 1834, the writer of this notice — then a boy of thirteen — 
 was first introduced to the principal Arthur Hutchins, an 
 M.A. of Trinity College, Dublin, and examined by him for 
 entrance to a Greek and Latin class. Having already 
 received an elementary English and classical education, 
 under a far more competent instructor, in his native town ; 
 the juvenile scholar was allowed to continue his Greek 
 Testament and Lucian, with Virgil and Sallust as Latin 
 authors, by a gracious permission of the head-master, as he 
 then took care to remark. At that time, a Mr. Henderson 
 was usher, conducting the English department in writing 
 and arithmetic. About once a week, the Protestant curate 
 of the parish attended to give catechetical instruction to 
 the boys of his congregation. 
 
 At the period to which we allude, the large house in 
 which Mr. Hutchins and his family lived was retired some- 
 what from the main street of the village; while on one side 
 of it was an old-fashioned and dilapidated building, which 
 as we conceive might have been erected about a century 
 previous, — the original casements of doors and windows 
 having been removed. The masonry had even crumbled 
 away from the openings. It seemed to have been the 
 former foundation school-house, but then, the lower door 
 and window spaces were built up with rough masonry, in 
 front, while the interior was choked with mortar and slates, 
 debris from the fallen roof. At the rear, all the doors and 
 windows had been built on a level with the wall, and 
 smoothly cemented, to serve for a ball-court, near which 
 was the boys' play-ground. The modern school-house was 
 a presentable and comfortable two-storied house, having 
 many rooms above and below, while its extension towards 
 the rear was considerable. The building was then centrally 
 placed in the town of Ballyroan. About twenty boys were 
 boarders in that house; while an equal number of day- 
 boys frequented the school, from the town and neighbour- 
 hood.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. IO7 
 
 The master was quite an original and eccentric character, 
 yet notwithstanding all his peculiarities, popular with his 
 pupils and the townspeople, to whom he was a familiar 
 and respected personage. He was advanced in years, and 
 the father of grown sons and daughters, who lived with 
 him. Their mother superintended the household affairs 
 very judiciously, and was assisted in the work by some 
 female servants. Mr. Hutchins was rather a tall man, of 
 lithesome shape, and having a good set of features, in which 
 seriousness and vivacity were at once blended. His motions 
 were restless, both within and without the house, and when 
 walking abroad his thumbs were placed in the armlets of 
 his vest, while the tips of his fingers were continually 
 tatooing his breast on either side. In dress he was a stylish 
 gentleman of the olden time, wearing a long-skirted black 
 broad-cloth frock-coat with lappels, a waistcoat and panta- 
 loons to match, a black silk stock, with shirt collars 
 protruding on either side of his cheeks. His shapely silk 
 hat was worn with a jaunty air, and his boots were highly 
 polished ; but probably the most noticeable appendage of 
 his dress was a cambric frill, snowy white, and elegantly 
 crimped, which escaped in full display from the upper part 
 of the vest. Altogether, he was a figure to attract very 
 particular notice, and he had a self-satisfied air of superi- 
 ority, when he appeared among his pupils or the villagers. 
 
 As became his profession, although well versed in the 
 Greek and Latin authors, Mr. Hutchins was a pedant, fond 
 of interlarding his vernacular conversation with classical 
 phrases and quotations, which to him were quite in use. 
 Whenever he desired to asseverate very strongly, or to 
 express surprise at any statement, his usual exclamation 
 was "By Hercules!" Hence it was the soubriquet by 
 which he was called among the pupils and townspeople, 
 but not in his own hearing ; since he was too aristocratic 
 and solemn looking, not to repel familiarity or disrespect. 
 His manner was formal and condescendingly courteous to 
 the humblest person who touched a hat to him in the 
 street, or who approached, either to seek a favour, or to 
 transact any ordinary business. 
 
 The school opened each morning about ten o'clock, and 
 closed at three in the afternoon. The pupils for the most 
 part were well grown lads, and many of them young men 
 who aspired to the Catholic priesthood. Although excellent 
 English and Classical Schools had been set up under
 
 108 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 competent instructors, in the more considerable Irish towns; 
 yet, Catholic Colleges were then few, and only confined to 
 some dioceses, nor had the National System of Lord 
 Stanley made much progress to meet public requirements, 
 or to arrest the higher educational enterprise of individual 
 teachers. In our school of Ballyroan, a general laxity of 
 discipline was allowed ; except during the class-hours for 
 individuals of the higher and lower grades, the other boys 
 were mostly absent and amusing themselves in the play- 
 ground, or in the fields adjoining the town, instead of 
 preparing their coming lessons ; frequently the principal 
 was absent from the room in some other part of the house, 
 or as often happened, sauntering about the street and 
 gossipping with some person, as might be seen from the 
 windows, and then all the wild spirits of the boys were in 
 commotion to create as much confusion as possible, with all 
 that love of mischief-making, so congenial to youths uncon- 
 trolled by the exercise of authority. Although a good 
 classical scholar himself, still had Mr. Arthur Hutchins a 
 defective manner for imparting instruction to tyros, being 
 addicted to grandiloquent speech, and indulging in disser- 
 tations which his pupils could hardly comprehend, without 
 those practical explanations suited to their age and intel- 
 lectual capacity. 
 
 Withal such pomposity and high bearing, there was an 
 undefinable simplicity of character in the man, and while 
 he was approached with deference and respect, a latent 
 •sense of his amiable complacency and credulity caused 
 many a practical joke to be played at his expense. Two 
 or three small fields adjoining Ballyroan had been held by 
 Mr. Hutchins ; and these were in part under crops, and in 
 part pasture for cows. One of his special foibles was to 
 study farming, as if it had been a science of much importance 
 to his establishment, and during the school-hours he wished 
 to seek advice from boys accustomed to agricultural pur- 
 suits, even at a time which should be devoted to class and 
 teaching. Opinions were thus elicited of a very complex 
 and even contradictory description ; while discussions were 
 prolonged, owing to the freedom of debate invited, and to 
 the number of pupils, who desired to spend the hours in a 
 more agreeable round of relaxation than could be obtained 
 from the prosecution of classical exercises. Thus many 
 lessons were cut short, if not postponed to the day following, 
 and the mental strain of a studious evening for the morrow
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. IO9 
 
 was saved to the urchins for boyish sports and capricious 
 idleness. 
 
 The boarders were all Protestants, with a single excep- 
 tion, and that boy had been very thoughtlessly placed by 
 his parents or guardians under influences, not calculated to 
 ground or direct him in Catholic doctrines and observances. 
 Nearly all the other day-scholars were the sons of Catholic 
 parents or friends living in the town or neighbourhood. 
 Among the latter was the writer, who trudged each morning 
 a distance of two miles from an old grand -uncle's house, 
 Mr. John Lalor of Pass, and back again each evening, 
 bearing a satchel rather heavily laden with books. In 
 those days, it did not occur to publishers that the classics 
 might be issued in any other form than in a complete 
 collection of an author's works, usually enlarged with an 
 editor's annotations ; so that to carry a Delphin Virgil, 
 M'Caul's Horace, and a Valpy's Homer, with accessories 
 of an Eton Latin Grammar and a student's Latin Dictionary 
 or Greek Lexicon, besides other books, was rather much of 
 a burden for young arms and shoulders. At present, the 
 texts read by school-boys are cheaper, issued in smaller 
 compass, and more to serve the practical work of special 
 study. Moreover, in districts remote from Dublin — then a 
 great centre for the publication of school classics and 
 mostly edited by Trinity College men — it was difficult to 
 procure the books in use, except at high prices — even when 
 second-hand works — and through the book-pedlars, who 
 travelled with cart-loads of a varied assortment through the 
 provincial towns and villages. Many of our school-books 
 were borrowed from friends that had used them, and not 
 for the first time, as they had an antiquated imprint and a 
 soiled appearance, while the texts or margins were inter- 
 lined by comments, glosses, and memoranda of scholars 
 belonging to a former generation. Through frequent use 
 or want of care, the covers were worn or patched in most 
 instances, and no uniform set of an author studied was ever 
 to be seen in the hands of our class-mates. Our master's 
 books were of a similar description, well thumbed and 
 interlined, as we had frequent opportunities for observing, 
 while he was engaged in hearing our lessons. 
 
 Some of the day scholars, more fully grown and knowing 
 than the writer, joined him on the road to Ballyroan, and 
 were always his companions on the way homewards, until 
 they dropped off one by one at their several houses. Fof
 
 no IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 some time after my first acquaintance and arrival, they had 
 a standing joke at my expense. A merry farmer's wife on 
 the road -side used to accost us with some cheery remark ; 
 but taking advantage of unsuspecting innocence, and 
 observing the load of books which the little fellow carried 
 over his shoulder, she inquired in a seemingly serious 
 manner if she might be permitted to place a dozen of eggs 
 in my satchel, " like a good boy," and bring them to a 
 huxter living in Ballyroan. The request was an exceedingly 
 distressing one, at the time, as under the embarrassment of 
 contending thoughts and emotions, it afflicted me to be 
 disobliging towards a person so agreeable to myself and 
 companions, while ashamed to be considered by them an 
 egg-deliverer, and to one unknown to me, not to speak of 
 the difficulty of preserving such a number unbroken, and 
 my books from the danger of being besmeared with the 
 contents. However, having passively assented to the pro- 
 posal, but in no very cheerful humour, the eggs were 
 collected, and the mouth of the satchel opened to the great 
 amusement of all present ; when to my great relief, the 
 jovial housewife said she thought better of the project, and 
 that she should send them in a basket by some one else 
 who passed that way. For a long time afterwards, a cause 
 for deep concern lest such a proposal might be renewed 
 was excited, and my roguish comrades played on my fears 
 very frequently, by calling out the farmer's wife, to ask if 
 she had any more eggs for the shop in Ballyroan. At 
 length it began to dawn on my comprehension, from the 
 nods and winks interchanged, that all was intended merely 
 as a hoax on a being so credulous and foolish as myself. 
 
 In those days, also, a teacher of far humbler pretensions 
 than Mr. Hutchins kept a small boys' and girls' school, in 
 one of the cabins which were placed at the entrance to 
 Ballyroan, and those were taught the rudiments of spelling, 
 reading, writing and arithmetic. The master's name was 
 Charley Duffy, and besides these elementary branches, being 
 a very correct man, he taught the little creatures under his 
 charge polite behaviour towards all well dressed persons 
 met by them in the village or on the road ; so that, bare- 
 headed and barefooted, for the most part, the boys made a 
 low bow in passing with a pull of their front locks, as a 
 mark of obeisance, while the girls gave a stiff jerk down- 
 wards, by way of curtsey. And as Ballyroan lay on the 
 high road from Dublin to Cork, so Peter Purcell's mail-
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS, III 
 
 coach passed it twice daily, morning and evening, usually 
 filled with well dressed passengers, inside and outside. 
 These ladies and gentlemen were especially the objects of 
 greatest respect and consideration, while the young urchins 
 felt greatly delighted when their awkward salutes were 
 politely returned. 
 
 The town of Ballyroan had a motley population, and in 
 some of the thatched cabins that garnished its outlets were 
 varlets, that led rather idle lives, doing job works occasion- 
 ally, but for the most part living on their wits, or stealing 
 from their more industrious neighbours. Poor Mr. Hutchins 
 knew from experience, that after reaping his croft of wheat 
 or oats, it was necessary to have a day and night watchman 
 to guard it from the raiders. One Johnny Whelan had 
 been engaged for that purpose ; but notwithstanding, it 
 was reported to the owner, that the latter was often lured 
 away by some village " divarsion," which caused him to 
 neglect his night vigils, and that in consequence, many of 
 the wheaten stooks had been carried off. Before his 
 kitchen-maids, Mr. Hutchins had declared by Hercules, 
 that his determination was to go out that very night and 
 see if the guardian to whom he paid regular wages had 
 been at his post. Now it so happened, that Johnny was a 
 suitor for the hand of one among those girls, and he was 
 duly informed by her of the master's purpose. Johnny 
 Whelan took measures accordingly, and armed with a 
 toughly knotted blackthorn stick, he contrived to keep 
 himself concealed behind a high ditch vvell covered with 
 brambles. When midnight was approaching, Mr. Hutchins 
 sallied forth to inspect the field, where the stooks of corn 
 were ranged in rows, but no sign of a watchman could be 
 discovered. By way of test, he advanced stealthily to one 
 of the stooks, and inserting his shoulders beneath the 
 sheaves began to bear it away ; but almost immediately 
 afterwards, Johnny Whelan was on his track, and soon his 
 vociferous shout was heard, with a hard thwack of the 
 blackthorn on the moving stook. "You bloody vagabone! 
 is that the way you come to steal the honest gintleman's 
 corn? But I'll beat your brains out, you scamp of perdition, 
 before ye lave the field. Take that"— whack— "and that" 
 — whack — "and that" — whack. For a time, the blows 
 rained incessantly on the pyramid of wheat ; while from 
 underneath his frail armour of straw, a voice ejaculated in 
 frighted and piteous tones : "Johnny, Johnny Whelan, it's
 
 112 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 I, Arthur Hutchins, it's I, Arthur Hutchins ; stop, stop, 
 for God's sake!" Still more vigorously fell the strokes 
 of the blackthorn, and still more menacingly rose the 
 voice : " I'll tache ye, my good fellow, to keep betther 
 hours nor this, and brake every bone in yer body, afore 
 I give you up to the polis!" Having well thrashed 
 the sheaves of wheat, and staggered the bearer, whom 
 he affected not to know ; at last, Johnny Whelan al- 
 lowed him to protrude the head from its covering, and 
 there by the misty light stood Mr. Hutchins fully revealed. 
 " Oh, Sir," cried Johnny, " I beg a thousand pardons, but 
 I never suspected that you could have come here to steal 
 away your own sheaves!" The employer felt humiliated 
 beyond measure, when he was enabled to fully extricate 
 himself; yet, as he could not find the watchman neglectful 
 of his trust, he in turn was obliged to beg the servant's 
 pardon, for entertaining unworthy suspicions of his fidelity. 
 Mr, Hutchins reasoned as a philosopher and logician. 
 With aching arms and shoulders, he returned home, leaving 
 Johnny Whelan to continue his vigil on the field, and 
 triumphant in that worthy's own estimation. Thence- 
 forward, he rose in the master's confidence, and on all 
 occasions he was highly praised for his honest and faithful 
 discharge of duties entrusted to him. The story got abroad, 
 however, and to all others in the town of Ballyroan, Whelan 
 was regarded as " a lad" — the expression intimating, that 
 he was ever ready to indulge in a practical joke, and that 
 no great reliance could be placed on his earnestness or 
 sincerity. 
 
 Another anecdote of a nearly similar character must here 
 be related. Those same fields were more a source of 
 annoyance than of profit to Mr. Arthur Hutchins. Among 
 the wild boys of Ballyroan was a tinker, who rambled in a 
 wide circuit from the village with an ass and cart filled 
 with tinware, as also with implements and materials to 
 mend pots, kettles and pans at the farmers' houses. When 
 at home, the ass was brought out to graze on the road-side, 
 wherever the grass appeared growing plentifully in the 
 ditches or under the hedge-rows; but occasionally, the wily 
 owner, who was on the look out, opened a gate and intro- 
 duced the poor animal to more luxuriant pasturage, or 
 mayhap watched his opportunity to take an armful of hay 
 or oats from the field to regale him. Now Mr. Hutchins' 
 field was convenient as any other to turn the donkey loose
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. II3 
 
 in, and so frequent were the trespasses reported, that after 
 repeated warnings and without any satisfactory result, the 
 principal of our school, taking one of his sons along with 
 him, sallied forth and surprised the ass, flagrante delicto. 
 He expressed a firm resolution to have the offending animal 
 put into pound — the gaol then destined for the detention of 
 all such delinquents. Accordingly, the donkey was driven 
 out of the field by the master and his well grown son, while 
 the former, in his usual pompous manner, and with his 
 thumbs in the armlets of his vest, nodded his head very 
 ominously. Full of wrath against the vagrant owner and 
 his beast, Mr. Hutchins exclaimed : '* By Hercules, my 
 good ass, you have fallen into severe hands!" However, 
 the tinker was on the alert. Jumping over the road-side 
 fence and flourishing a stout kippeeii, he faced the principal 
 and his attendant in a threatening manner, crying out, 
 '* No, but by Hercules, you have fallen into severe hands, 
 Mr. Hutchins, if you put the poor creathur into pound. It 
 would be the manest action of your life, Sir, bekase she took 
 a little mouthful of grass from your field, whin she saw the 
 gate open. The creathur meanin' no harm in life, would 
 have come out of her own accord in a few minutes, and 
 now to deprive a poor man of his baste and his manes of 
 livin' would make you the laughin' stock of the whole town 
 and neighbourhood. So you had betther think well of it, 
 and let her alone!" As he spoke in angry tones, and thus 
 pleaded for the poor innocent donkey, the son's resentment 
 was sufficiently manifested ; but never distinguished for 
 personal bravery, Mr. Hutchins began to tremble violently, 
 affrighted at the menacing aspect of that tinker, who 
 played alternately on his fears and his reason. He 
 hastily capitulated, and surrendered the ass to the importu- 
 nate and impudent rascal to whom it belonged. Returning 
 to town, abashed in the presence of his plucky son, who 
 was ready for a rude encounter, Mr. Hutchins never after- 
 wards attempted to restrain the ass, although a continuous 
 trespasser, lest he laiight again arouse the resentinent of its 
 wicked owner. 
 
 One of the singular characters that still survived in 
 Ballyroan was Jemmy Doxey, already celebrated as having 
 figured in Sir Jonah Barrington's original pages. It must 
 be remarked, that in some later editions the anecdote has 
 been omitted. On a certain occasion, when the Queen's 
 County gentry were engaged in the chase of Reynard, one 
 
 H
 
 114 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 of the number got a fall from his horse, and was so stunned 
 thereby, that he lay senseless and motionless for a consider- 
 able tim.e. Among the sons of Hubert was a doctor from 
 Mountrath, who in the general confusion dismounted with 
 other members of the hunt, whose sympathies and assistance 
 were excited on behalf of their prostrate companion. The 
 doctor approached, and having felt his pulse and otherwise 
 hastily examined the gentleman's body, shook his head 
 with emotion, and at once professionally pronounced him 
 dead. In turn, however, Jemmy Doxey approached, and 
 felt the pulse. Turning to the crowd of hunters around, he 
 declared there was still life in the prostrate form, and by 
 way of proof — drawing a flask of brandy which he uncorked 
 from his side pocket — applied it in the first instance to the 
 gentleman's nose. This had such an effect, that his eyes 
 opened to the delight of all present, — the doctor alone 
 excepted ; and a second application to the patient's mouth, 
 into which some of the liquor was poured, proved so effec- 
 tive, that his consciousness gradually returned. Soon was 
 he enabled to rise and thank his benefactor for the timely 
 service rendered. The result of all was, that the gentleman, 
 thus quite restored and to the great delight of his friends, 
 the doctor was discredited before most of his influential 
 patrons present, and especially when the story became 
 generally known ; while Jemmy Doxey's fame spread 
 abroad, distinguished alike by his forethought and skill in 
 the application of a remedy, equally gratifying to the taste 
 and conducive to the restoration of a fellow-creature in 
 extremis. 
 
 This humorist lived with his son Hector Doxey of 
 Ballyroan, and he had a grandson, a day scholar in our 
 school, which circumstance furnished a pretext for frequent 
 visits to us, during the hour set apart for luncheon and 
 recreation. He was evidently fond of the boys' society, 
 and having no settled occupation, as a gentleman at large 
 he amused us exceedingly with his antics and funny stories, 
 as also with a number of hunting and comic songs, which 
 were current in his i:)rime of life ; nor were these all of the 
 most delicate sentiment, as sung by the sporting gentry of 
 his early days. The townspeople used to designate him 
 "a divartin' vagabond," and of course such a character 
 always enjoyed a great measure of popularity. Whenever he 
 appeared in the ball -court, all play was suspended, and a
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. II5 
 
 «;roup of the boys was immediately formed around the old 
 man, whose powers of mimicry and grimace were really 
 surprising, while these were sure to elicit shouts of laughter 
 and approbation from his youthful auditors- 
 
 Among the denizens of Ballyroan then living, and com- 
 memorated by Sir Jonah Barrington, was Moll Harding, a 
 woman possessing in a remarkable degree a fund of genuine 
 humour and a readiness of repartee, not sufficiently illus- 
 trated in the single anecdote related of her by that rollicking 
 writer. As frequently seen and heard by ourselves, although 
 much advanced beyond middle life at the time, she pre- 
 sented a full and portly figure, a florid and clear complexion, 
 with masculine bearing and gestures, features characteristic 
 of resolution and self-assertion, eyes sparkling with intelli- 
 gence and expressive of shrewdness, her whole countenance 
 and manner indicating business capacity, and a long 
 experience through life with people of all grades in the 
 social ladder. During earlier years and while her husband 
 lived, she managed the public hostelry of Ballyroan, at 
 which the mail-coach from Dublin to Cork there changed 
 horses, and with which a considerable car and posting 
 establishment was then connected. Besides, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Harding held a large farm adjoining the town. Both were 
 in very comfortable circumstances, before and after retiring 
 from the hotel business. At that period of active life. 
 Dame Quickley herself evinced not greater aptitude, in the 
 management of her hostelry, and in humouring the varied 
 characters she was obliged to entertain, than did the hostess 
 of Ballyroan with the motley gang that served within her 
 inn, or without in the stables. Indeed. Sir John Falstaff 
 should have met his match better in the wordy contest, had 
 he to deal with Mistress Harding, rather than with the 
 landlady of the Eastcheap tavern. One resolute word 
 spoken by the termagant was quite enough to awe the 
 maid-servants and to enforce ready obedience ; while the 
 ostlers were quick as lightning in getting horses ready and 
 harnessed for a journey, nor were the field-labourers allowed 
 one moment of idleness, for all were quite aware that she 
 would stand no nonsense, as their wages were justly and 
 punctually paid. 
 
 The hostess was an especial favourite with the Queen's 
 County gentry, and especially with the sporting characters 
 who patronised her establishment. They delighted in her 
 sallies of wit and humour, and whenever choosing to challenge
 
 Il6 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 either to a contest, they invariably received tit-for-tat in 
 exchange. As such friendly familiarities invited return, in 
 compliment to their rank and influence, no reply was given, 
 but what was sure to evoke enjoyment and peals of hearty 
 laughter. Far different was it when pretentious and low- 
 bred persons attempted to assume airs unbecoming their 
 position, or when they fell into awkward mistakes and 
 escapades in the conduct of their affairs. Then, indeed, 
 ludicrous and sarcastic enough were the winged words of 
 caustic application in reproof and condemnation, that fell 
 from the lips of Mistress Harding. By the townspeople 
 those sayings were well remembered, and by our school- 
 fellows repeated with special zest ; but, how lively were the 
 sallies of wit or how racy the humour, we cannot here 
 record, as the occasions and persons to whom they had 
 reference are at present well nigh forgotten. 
 
 A talented and handsome young priest of the diocese, as 
 likewise an accomplished classical scholar, was a son of 
 Mrs. Harding, and having been a pupil of Mr. Hutchins, 
 whenever he came on a family visit to Ballyroan, he was 
 sure to see his former teacher and the boys during school- 
 hours — thus keeping up a standing intimacy, and renewing 
 old or forming new acquaintances. He was complimented, 
 likewise, in being asked to teach one or other of our classes, 
 which task he readily undertook and executed with dis- 
 tinguished ability. We all desired much to have the benefit 
 of his instructions. Moreover, the Rev. Nicholas Ilarding 
 had other qualifications, which rendered him not less 
 popular among the school-boys ; for we knew him to be 
 fond of athletic sports, and able to beat the best of our ball- 
 players in the alley during hours of recreation. But, what 
 we enjoyed of all other performances was to see him 
 mounted on a magnificent hunter, which he constantly rode, 
 and brought out for exercise into the fields, at the rere of 
 Mr. Hutchins' garden. Having thence a commanding 
 view, we witnessed the grace and agility with which his 
 hunter and himself took the leaps and cleared the fences, 
 until both were sufficiently heated with the exertion. In 
 after life, we knew the Rev. Nicholas Harding socially, as 
 a most agreeable and well informed gentleman ; but he 
 lived not to middle age, for his health became impaired, 
 and he fell into a premature decline. When last we met 
 him, the appearances of approaching dissolution had far 
 advanced ; he was breathing with difficulty, and on inquiring
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. II7 
 
 about his state, he replied sadly with the classical phrase, 
 *'haeret lateri lethalis arundo." He did not long survive. 
 
 One of our teacher's illustrations regarding the manner in 
 which our classic studies were to proceed was peculiar. 
 He would first place the Latin Grammar on the table, clap 
 it with his open palm, then lay the Latin Dictionary over 
 that corner-stone ; afterwards, he piled in succession 
 Swain's Sentences, Hoole's Terminations, Cordery's Col- 
 loquies, Ciesar's Commentaries, Ovid's Metamorphoses, 
 Sallust, Virgil, Livy, Horace, and lastly Tacitus, which 
 latter author usually crowned the serial edifice. This 
 enumeration formed the school ciirriciihim, and when the 
 structure was completed, an energetic stroke was bestowed 
 on the upper stratum. It is doubtful if the pupils derived 
 much practical instruction from the object-lesson. But, on 
 a certain occasion, when the master had furnished as he 
 conceived a sufficient exposition of his system, and had left 
 the school-room for a moment ; a tall and active boy, lithe 
 and agile as a grey hound, placing both his hands on the 
 table, to the great amusement of his comrades, vaulted 
 completely over r^Ir. Hutchins' classic pyramid. 
 
 In those days, political feeling ran high between Tories 
 and Liberals, while polemical controversies between Catho- 
 lics and Protestants were also rife ; and as a matter of 
 course, in our school were exciting debates and discussions 
 among the boys, on the men and measures there occupying 
 public attention. While O'Connell and Repeal of the 
 Union were subjects for the approval of one party, they 
 were as vigorously denounced by the other ; since both 
 were equally earnest and vociferous in their pronounce- 
 ments, while their views clouded with family and school-boy 
 prejudices were tempered with heat and passion, as also 
 with occasional offensive expressions. As an exemplification 
 of a mixed system of training, the results did not lead to 
 kindly or conciliatory feeling, nor tend to promote private 
 or personal friendship in after life. Indeed, by a sort of 
 mutual aversion then contracted by the Catholic and Pro- 
 testant boys at school, they did not afterwards when grown 
 to manhood seek to renew and cultivate the acquaintance 
 then formed. Our master — to his credit be it spoken — was 
 not a promoter of those boyish disputes, which even took 
 place without his knowledge ; and to the last, he preserved 
 the esteem and respect of all his pupils. 
 
 The Endowed Schools Commission of 1858 reported
 
 1I» IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 most unfavourably regarding both the schools, founded by 
 Alderman Preston, viz., Navan and Ballyroan, and censured 
 the Commissioners of Education for their neglect of the 
 benevolent and material interests involved. The latter 
 school had not been inspected by them for ten years 
 previously. Relating to Ballyroan school, the annual value 
 of premises was then estimated at £2;}^ 17s. 5d., the master 
 of which had £(^2 6s. 2d. a-year, and a house worth £\2, 
 with an assistant having ^55 7s. 8d. a-year, and a cottage 
 worth ;^5, or a total income of £\^\ 13s. lod. It was then 
 reported as being in a disgraceful condition, attended by 
 only two day pupils, out of three on the roll, and it stated, 
 moreover, that their education was very much neglected. 
 
 In subsequent years, that former building we have already 
 described was deserted, when the school was removed to a 
 mansion outside of Ballyroan, and known as Rockbrook. 
 There a Rev. Mr. Lyons conducted it for some years ; and 
 of late, under more favourable auspices, the testamentary 
 conditions being changed by Act of Parliament, that 
 endowment of Alderman Preston has been re-modelled, 
 and the establishment itself transferred to the more pros- 
 perous and populous town of Abbeyleix. Every trace of 
 the Ballyroan endowed school has been effaced, but, on its 
 former site, a Police Barrack and a Dispensary have been 
 erected, all other features of the town remaining little 
 changed since the days of its classical celebrity. However, 
 more than a generation has elapsed since the events 
 occurred, as we have here related them ; and few of those 
 actors on the stage of life now survive, as we have known 
 them in earlier times. Moreover, to seize the passing 
 features as they were presented, in point of fact and fancy, 
 may instruct or amuse our readers, who desire to learn 
 some particulars of manners and customs as they then 
 transpired, while only faint traces now remain partially to 
 revive their recollection and note their record.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. II9 
 
 No. XXVIII. 
 Ctje SBitcfj's iFate.' 
 
 LEGEND OF ANTRIM, COUNTY OF ANTRIM. 
 
 "In each human heart terror survives 
 The ruin it has gorged : the loftiest fear 
 All that they would disdain to think were true : 
 Hj'pocrisy and custom make their minds 
 The fanes of many a worship, now outworn. 
 They dare not devise good for man's estate, 
 And yet they know not that they do not dare. 
 The good want power, but to weep barren tears. 
 The powerful goodness want : worse need for them. 
 The wise want love ; and those who love want wisdom ; 
 And all best things are thus confused to ill. 
 j\lany are strong and rich, and would be just, 
 But live among their suffering fellow-men 
 As if none felt : they know not what they do."' 
 
 — Percy Bysshe Shelley's Pfonetheus Uiiboiind, Act. i. 
 
 As popularly understood b}^ the term, witchcraft seems to 
 have been generally known and exercised in Ireland, only 
 after the Anglo-Norman Invasion. The earliest accounts 
 we find of witchery and enchantment are those given by 
 the Franciscan friar John Clyn, who lived in the convent of 
 that Order in Kilkenny, and who relates at the year 1324, 
 in his Annals of Ireland, that a certain Dame Alicia Kyteler 
 had been accused of divers sorceries and heresies before the 
 spiritual court of Richard Led red, formerly a P'ranciscan 
 friar of London, and then Bishop of Ossory. At this trial 
 were present John Darcy, Justiciary of Ireland, the Prior 
 of Kilmainham, Chancellor and Treasurer, as also Arnald 
 le Poer, the Seneschal of Kilkenny. This happened on 
 Monday, July 2nd, which was the Feast day of the Martyrs 
 Processus and Martinian. Dame Alicia was found guilty 
 and condemned to death, according to the precedents 
 drawn from other countries ; since the chronicler takes care 
 to state, that none had been known to suffer such penalty 
 in Ireland previously, on the score of heresy. However, 
 during the same year, and on the day succeeding All Souls' 
 festival, one Petronilla of Meath was accused of being a 
 follower of Dame Alicia Kyteler, and an accomplice in her 
 crimes of heresy, witchcraft, and immolation of victims to 
 demons. She was likewise found guilty and condemned to
 
 I20 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 be burned to death. Nevertheless, Bishop Ledred was 
 denounced for his unjust proceedings, and afterwards he 
 was accused of heresy by his Metropolitan, Alexander 
 Bicknor, Archbishop of Dublin, 
 
 Under the Mosaic law, witches and wizards on account 
 of their evil practices were condemned to death. (Exodus 
 xxii. i8.) By this it would seem, that those practising 
 pagan superstitions and magic arts, or using charms and 
 invocations in use among the heathen nations, were so 
 designated. They are often referred to in the Sacred 
 Scriptures. Christian writers from an early period have 
 affirmed, that the gods of the ancients were evil spirits, 
 who had led the world away from worship of the true God. 
 Hence was derived an opinion, that the spirit of evil had a 
 direct agency in human affairs, and that compacts were 
 often formed between the devil and wicked or designing 
 persons, considered to have been witches or sorcerers. 
 Throughout the Middle Ages, in nearly all European 
 countries, the most severe laws were enacted against them, 
 until in the fifteenth century proceedings to stop the preva- 
 lence of witchcraft assumed their excessively hideous form. 
 Fear and hatred of such practices combined to enact the 
 most repressive and cruel punishments, with death by 
 burning ; while through mere suspicion, and hardly with 
 any process of just trial, thousands of innocent persons were 
 accused and condemned to the flames. In England, the 
 Duchess of Gloucester was charged with using sorcery to 
 waste and destroy King Henry VI. Jewel, the Protestant 
 Bishop of Salisbury, preaching before Queen Elizabeth, 
 stated, that his own eyes had seen most evident and manifest 
 marks of wicked enchantments and witchery, while he 
 warned her in these terms : " It may please your grace to 
 understand that witches and sorcerers within these last few 
 years are marvelously increased within your grace's realm. 
 Your grace's subjects pine away, even unto the death, their 
 colour fadeth, their flesh rotteth, their speech is benumbed, 
 their senses are bereft. I pray God, they never practice 
 further than upon the subject." One might readily suppose 
 that such occurrences should be common enough, and 
 without the intervention of supernatural phenomena. 
 
 During the following reign, the sapient King James I. 
 wrote his curious and remarkable book on "Demonology," 
 which furnishes sufficient proof of the hold such opinions 
 had on even the most highly educated of his period. The
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 121 
 
 successive statutes of Henry VI., of Henry VH. in 1541, of 
 Elizabeth in 1562, and of James I. in 1603, were not 
 repealed in these realms until 1736. The number of those 
 put to a fearful death in England, and for sorcery alone, 
 has been estimated at about 30,000 ! Sir Walter Scott has 
 written a most interesting work intituled, " Letters on 
 Demonology and Witchcraft," in which he reveals the 
 extent and cases of credulity in his own country. He 
 informs us, that the last victim who perished in Scotland 
 Avas an insane old woman in 1722. She had such little 
 idea of her situation as to rejoice at the sight of the fire 
 which was destined to consume her. We believe the case 
 which follows may be regarded as the latest execution on 
 the charge of witchcraft, and which stains the criminal 
 annals of our own Island. 
 
 A pamphlet printed in 1699 and intituled, '* The 
 Bewitching of a Child in Ireland," contains the very curious 
 account regarding a young lady of good family, who lived 
 in the town of Antrim. She was inferior to none in the 
 place for beauty and education. She was remarkable, also, 
 for her charitable disposition and kindness to the poor, so 
 that she became a universal favourite ; and it was supposed, 
 that no person could have any feeling but that of respect 
 and affection towards her. 
 
 Nevertheless, when she was about nineteen years of age, 
 and on the 9th of May, 169S, a beggar-woman came to the 
 door of her parents, and requesting an alms or something 
 in the way of refreshment, the compassionate young lady 
 gave her bread and beer. She had then no idea, that the 
 wretch whom she had thus relieved was a witch, as it 
 transpired from what follovired. The woman, whose motives 
 were unknown, presented her with a leaf of sorrel, and she 
 was induced to eat it; but no sooner had she done so, than 
 an intolerable pain tortured her stomach and bowels. She 
 trembled violently all over, and became convulsive. In 
 fine, she swooned away, and lay as one dead. Doctors 
 were at hand, but all their remedies were used to no 
 purpose. The lady still continued in the most dreadful 
 paroxysm, and having learned the particulars of that inter- 
 view, which caused her excessive agony, it was concluded 
 she had been bewitched. This opinion was more than 
 confirmed, when the patient first began to roll herself about, 
 and then vomit needles, pins, hairs, feathers, bottoms of 
 thread, pieces of glass, window-nails, eggs, fish-shells, nails
 
 122 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 drawn out of a cart or coach-wheel, as also an iron knife, 
 more than a span in length. 
 
 The minister of her parish was sent for, and scarcely had 
 his hand been placed upon her, than she was turned by a 
 demon into the most frightful shapes. All these occurrences 
 caused the greatest alarm in her family circle and among 
 lier friends. Soon it was noticed, that when the witch, 
 who still roamed at large, came near or even looked 
 towards the house in which the young lady lived; although 
 it were two hundred paces distant, still all the most violent 
 torments were renewed, and her immediate death was 
 apprehended. However, when the witch was removed to 
 a greater distance, those paroxysms ceased. 
 
 All the foregoing circumstances combined, or as furnished 
 by common report, were sufficient to cause an information 
 to be lodged against the wretched accused woman, who 
 was apprehended, and brought before a judge and jury. 
 Having examined various witnesses, they condemned her to 
 be strangled and burnt, according to the criminal law then 
 in force. Before strangling her, she was desired to undo 
 the incantation, and thus relieve the victim from her 
 sufferings; but the witch declared she could not, because 
 others had likewise practised enchantments against her. 
 At the same time, the condemned sorceress confessed to 
 many spells of a similar character, and of which she had 
 been guilty. 
 
 Having paid the penalty of her crime, real or supposed, 
 the trial and its result became a matter of notoriety ; and 
 few there were, at that time, who questioned the justice or 
 jiropriety of those proceedings. Moreover, it is recorded, 
 that about the middle of September following, the young 
 lady had been carried to a gentleman's house, where many 
 other things happened, and scarcely credible, were it not 
 that several ministers of reputation tor veracity and the 
 gentleman in question attested their occurrence. Although 
 the laws now in force no longer recognise witchcraft and 
 sorcery, as punishable by any criminal process ; still have 
 the traditions of former times taken hold on the imagina- 
 tion of ignorant and superstitious persons, nor have the 
 practices of spells and charms been altogether disused, to 
 counteract their supposed evil influences, or to invoke 
 their direct agencies.
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. I23 
 
 No. XXIX. 
 €f^t ©onfelierate ^iJemjUrs. 
 
 LEGEND OF DINGLE, COUNTY OF KERRY, 
 
 "' Yes, sir, puffing is of various sorts ; the principal are, the puff 
 direct, the puff preliminary, the puff collateral, the puff collusive, and 
 the puff oblique, or puff by implication. * * * * * . ^ ^'^<^' y^^' 
 sir I the number of those who undergo the fatigue of judging for them- 
 selves is very small indeed. * * * ^ Now, sir, the puff collateral 
 is much used as an appendage to advertisements. * ^ * gut the 
 puff collusive is the newest of any ; for it acts in the disguise of deter- 
 mined hostility." — Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Critics, or a 
 Tragedy Rehearsed, Act i., Scene 1. 
 
 Nestling under a chain of lofty mountains protecting it 
 from the north, and nearly at the extreme end of a pro- 
 montory jutting out into the Atlantic, is built the town of 
 Dingle, in the barony of Corkaguiney, County of Kerry. 
 It stands at the head of Dingle Harbour. On a fine 
 summer day, no view can be imagined more charming and 
 extensive from its site, than that extending over the Bay, 
 the waves chasing one another in flashes of rolling sun-light 
 to the southern highlands of Iveragh, and the towering 
 peaks of Carraun Toul closing the scene towards the far- 
 famed Lakes of Killarney. The town, formerly known as 
 Dingle-i-Couch had a flourishing linen manufactory, towards 
 the close of the last century ; while some finely built shops 
 and antique looking mansions still exhibit traces of departed 
 prosperity, but in their present squalid appearance and 
 crumbling to decay, those houses are tenanted only by the 
 poorest classes. 
 
 The changes of time bring with them modifications of 
 customs and methods, while in few other cases are the 
 peculiarities of social life more marked than in the pictures 
 now presented at Irish fairs and markets and those which 
 were to be seen in the beginning of the present century. 
 The facilities of locomotion have dispersed merchandise 
 and orders for goods to other centres of trade and com- 
 merce ; they have removed agricultural products, horses, 
 cattle, sheep, pigs and fowl to metropolitan markets, in a 
 great measure ; and, as a consequence, only a limited and 
 for the most part local traffic at present exists in the towns 
 and on the fair-greens, that were formerly crowded, when
 
 124 IRISH LOCAL LEGE.NDS. 
 
 the country was more populous, and when mechanical and 
 industrial pursuits were more restricted to their neighbouring 
 places for supply and demand. Irish fairs and markets 
 now present a comparatively deserted appearance, nor can 
 we at all recognise in them that animation and bustle, 
 which prevailed over half a century ago, and to which 
 period our story has a special relation. 
 
 The fairs held at Dingle were usually well attended by 
 the country gentry, farmers and dealers for miles around ; 
 while considerable local trade was transacted by the different 
 retailers and vendors of wares and goods in greatest demand 
 among the peasantry of that district. On the eve of such 
 an assemblage, the converging roads were filled with drovers 
 and cattle, country men and women in cars or on foot, 
 every individual having some personal interest or speculation 
 in mind, and all destined to return with more or less of 
 gratification or disappointment. Horses and their riders 
 were advancing at a rapid pace. Country carts, loaded 
 with various commodities, or covered with quilts over straw 
 on which were seated the farmers' wives and daughters, 
 trailed along in rapid succession, and driven by the farmers 
 themselves or by their sons. Even the humbler peasants 
 were conveyed in their asses' cars from distances remote, 
 and as during night the journey had been commenced, when 
 day was about to break, all were approaching the town. 
 The scene was one presenting animation and bustle of no 
 ordinary occurrence ; while business and pleasure combined 
 to vary the monotony of country life, as the fair or market 
 of the nearest town or village had an important bearing on 
 the periodical fortunes or failures of the people at large. 
 
 Among the liurrying groups were to be noticed three 
 travelling caravans with coved tops of some height covered 
 with canvas to i)rotect the draperies contained beneath, 
 while the respective drivers were comfortably clad in over- 
 coats, suited for their journeyings around the different 
 towns and villages of Ireland. They were not in file, 
 however, but kept at respectful distances along the road 
 from Tralee, until night closed in, when selecting a suitable 
 spot for encampment on the road-side, the three wagonettes 
 were well screened from the observation of all way-farers. 
 
 Those who have frequented an Irish fair can well under- 
 stand how busy and varied are the motley throngs to the 
 sight, and how ineuphonious their sounds to the ear, arising 
 from a mingled concourse of bipeds and quadrupeds, in
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. I25 
 
 constantly changing positions, and in a very discordant 
 concert of voices and tones. The morning is usually ushered 
 in vi^ith the lowing of cows, the neighing of horses, the 
 bleating of sheep, the grunting of pigs, and the shouts of 
 their care-takers, driving them through various groups or 
 trying to preserve them from scattering in different direc- 
 tions. Then commence the animated and noisy asseverations 
 of cattle or stocks buyers and sellers, until the sales are 
 effected, and the luck-penny deposited. Booths are erected 
 in the market place, and under their temporary covering, 
 various cheap articles are arranged to attract the attention 
 of purchasers, old and young. Every device of handicraft 
 is displayed, and in the most public places, to gather 
 customers, and to persuade the interested spectators that 
 articles were cheaply exchangeable for ready money. Thus, 
 the vendor of crockery and delft was holding up his glazed 
 pans and plates, or striking them with his knuckles to prove 
 they had a true ring of durability ; the country carpenter 
 had a display of plain deal tables and chairs for adults, or 
 three-legged stools for children's use; bacon-sellers, butchers 
 and bakers had their several stalls around which were 
 numerous buyers ; the cobbler was busy mending and 
 making brogues or shoes ; the tinker had his fire lighted 
 with the soldering-iron red hot, while re-vamping leaky 
 pots, kettles and tinpans ; the cutler was bent over his 
 revolving wheel, while sparks flew from knives, scissors and 
 razors he was engaged in grinding ; in short, every branch 
 of rude manual industry was exhibited, either perfected or 
 in course of actual operation. Mountebanks upon the 
 street were performing ground and lofty tumbling, or 
 necromancers showing feats of legerdemain in the midst of 
 admiring circles ; while the show-box, with its limited 
 company of actors and musicians, had its crowds of fre- 
 quenters to enjoy the spectacles within, at the small charge 
 of a penny to the pit and two pence to the gallery reserved 
 seats. 
 
 The juveniles had interests and speculations of their own 
 on each recurring fair-day, and were sure to levy their 
 recognised tribute of ts. fairing from all their relatives and 
 friends w-ho had business to transact in town. The pence 
 soon accumulated to sixpences and shillings, thus forming 
 a small fund, which was sure to be spent in various ways 
 before the evening came to a close. For their peculiar 
 tastes and desires stalls were likewise provided, set out
 
 126 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 with an array of toys and other fancy articles, not reaching 
 to a much higher figure than the penny or twopences, which 
 were at the ready disposal of the youthful purchasers. These 
 felt gratified beyond measure to carry home with them the 
 speaking parrot, the wax-doll, and the tin-trumpet, all of 
 which acquisitions were carefully and jealously preserved, 
 until the air of novelty wore gradually away, and other 
 possessions came in turn to be more greatly prized. The 
 Iruit-stalls were usually crowded with a number of children, 
 who kept the apple or orange vendor employed in exchanging 
 her ripe fruit for the pence that were offered. Not far 
 removed was the seller of sugar-sticks and of " rale India 
 rock," who loudly proclaimed to the multitude, that it must 
 cure the colic, and drive the wind out of the stomach ; 
 while he had peppermint lozenges, that were warranted to 
 heal sore-throats, coughs and colds. Another itinerant 
 doctor had what he declared to be "straight-going pills," 
 and "■ sure to dhrive the inimy out of the garrison and make 
 him surrendher at discretion." A rival medicine man had 
 for sale boluses and bottles containing some sort of coloured 
 liquid, which were described as most efficacious and agree- 
 able to the taste ; while in Stentorian tones, he cried out in 
 praise of the specific, " It 'ill neither gripe ye, nor purge ye, 
 but it'll sarch ye gintly, like a fine tooth comb!" At 
 suitable stations along the streets were cars propped up 
 under the shafts, and supporting a frame-work of rods 
 covered with a brown home-spun quilt, and under this 
 shelter were to be seen piles of soft cakes, gingerbread and 
 sweet biscuits. The custodian was usually a middle aged 
 woman of respectable appearance, arrayed in a homely 
 dress and head gear, seated in front of her store, whilst at 
 intervals in a clear tone and shrilly voice she announced : 
 " Every eight a ha'penny, and every sixteen a penny. 
 Every tup-pence worth here going for a penny ! Come on, 
 my darling boys and girls: good value here for yer money!" 
 Moreover, the ballad-singers, men and women, were exer- 
 cising their vocal powers, and moving at a slow pace up 
 and down the streets, fc^llowed by those who were captivated 
 by the favourite and well known old airs, while anxious to 
 procure the words of the new songs contained in the several 
 ballads. These were grotesquely illustrated on top with a 
 wretched wood-cut, and printed by some "prentice han'," 
 in a job office of the town — the spelling and irregularities 
 of type having a ludicrous and almost unintelligible appear-
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 12/ 
 
 ance for the eye even of a practised reader. Sometimes 
 the ballads were sung by a man and woman in a unison of 
 discordant voices, and they were sold at the small charge of 
 one half-penny each. Altogether, a Babel of sounds filled 
 the air, and as the day advanced, still greater became the 
 crowds flocking to the fair, and more curious were the 
 incidents revealed. 
 
 Early on the scene, however, and standing on the platform 
 in front of his wagonette — drawn up in the market-place- 
 was one of the roving individuals already mentioned, 
 attired in a bright red fez cap, in his shirt sleeves and plaited 
 frontlet of dazzling whiteness, the cuffs displaying handsome 
 pearl studs, in a vest of saffron-colour, elegantly embroidered, 
 and in a lavender-coloured pantaloons, strapped down over 
 highly polished dandy-boots. Altogether a good-looking 
 young man, and of mtelligent animated features, his dress 
 was worn for the sake of effect, and it harmonized well with 
 his years and active athletic figure. On temporary shelves 
 within the caravan, and with some of the most showy 
 ribbons, silks, satins and gauzes ranged on the outside, in 
 the style of a gipsy's travelling wagon, a varied assortment 
 of dress articles was exposed to view. These within the 
 caravan were neatly folded in their proper compartments. 
 Soon the strange merchant began to ring a bell, the sound 
 of which immediately collected a crowd of men, women 
 and children around him. Having drawn a sufficiently 
 large and appreciative audience, the bell ceased, and in a 
 merry mood with suitable gestures, with the peculiarly 
 Yankee pronunciation and nasal twang, he commenced 
 an oration, frequently interrupted by the laughter and 
 applause of his hearers. 
 
 "Good people of Dingle and the west of Kerry generally, 
 you were to be pitied by all honest folk, that know the way 
 you are treated in your dealings with the shop-keepers of 
 this town and neighbourhood. Their profits are outrageous, 
 I guess, charging you double prices for all the articles of 
 clothing and dress you bought from them ; and no mistake 
 they were able to live in grand style themselves and families, 
 when ye had no other friends to take ye out of their clutches 
 — the extortioners ; for of course, you couldn't travel all the 
 way to Dublin to get bargains and value for your hardly- 
 earned money. Well, this day puts an end to that state of 
 affairs. Hearing of your case, I travelled all the way from 
 the United States of America, the land of freedom and
 
 128 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 happy homes for so many of your exiled country people, 
 and lately I heard of the wreck of a French merchant vessel 
 that was stranded on the coast of Waterford, with a cargo 
 of the most beautiful and fashionable fabrics, and I hastened 
 there to see the captain and ship-agent, to bargain with 
 them for the articles I am now going to expose for sale. I 
 tell you it was fortunate for me to secure such prizes and at 
 a most reduced rate, as under those circumstances the goods 
 were almost a dead loss to the owners. They are all 
 warranted sound and first-class, for the use and wear of any 
 lady or gentleman that wants to try their chance, and such 
 another opportunity will never again take place in the town 
 of Dingle. I intend to sell them for less than half their 
 value, and to bring home with me the blessings of all the 
 fine young men and bonny lasses of the town, and of all 
 the respectable farmers and their handsome wives and 
 daughters in the neighbourhood. I want to see every man, 
 woman and child of you well dressed, and as I calculate, 
 at prices next to nothing. Not to waste time, I'll begin at 
 once on the just and ready principle of the Dutch auction: 
 Falling the price from high to low, sale to the first bidder, 
 and cash down." 
 
 Having finished this exordium, the vendor drew from 
 one of the shelves a remnant of printed calico with showy 
 chintz pattern, and quickly unfolding it, he sent several 
 yards floating over the heads of the multitude, and with 
 such dexterity, that it bounded from left to right and in 
 front, each matron and maiden in the crowd straining to 
 catch hoki and detain the piece for a hurried inspection. 
 Without loss of time, the salesman, assuming a complaisant 
 and courteous manner, addressed the parties evidently most 
 desirous to secure his goods at a bargain : "Yes, madam, 
 no less than fourteen yards in that beautiful print ; full dress 
 for a lady, and most becoming style for a Sunday or Holy- 
 day ; yes, miss, examine it and judge for yourself, it would 
 look charming with your lovely features and figure. Quick 
 now, I must throw it over to another elegant girl, who 
 wants to admire it ; but I have much business to finish to- 
 day, and I can't wait any longer. It is the way we work in 
 Yankee-land. So here begins the sale. I suppose if I'd 
 say thirty shillings for the dress, you'd all think it too dear 
 — well no — I'll set it up at a pound, and down we go — 
 nineteen shillings — eighteen shillings — seventeen shillings 
 — sixteen shillings — fifteen shillings — fourteen shillings —
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. I29 
 
 thirteen shillings — twelve shillings — eleven shillings — ten 
 shillings — who bids? — great bargain, ladies! — well, nine 
 shillings, eight and sixpence — eight shillings, seven and 
 sixpence !" " Seven and sixpence bid for it," returned a 
 mincing voice near the platform. "Sold !" cried the mer- 
 chant, " and to a girl of real taste and judgment. Cash, 
 miss, down, and thanks ; may be you won^t shine in that 
 dress, when your mantua maker puts it out of hands !" 
 
 Another ring of the bell, and out came an imitation 
 cashmere shawl, with its bright and intricate pattern looking 
 very gay and brilliant. "Come now, ladies, who bids? 
 who bids first for this valuable shawl ? Worth two pounds, 
 ladies ! Well, I'll not set it up at that price ; nor at the 
 half of that ; nor at the half of that again. I'll say nine 
 shillings — eight shillings — seven shillings — six shillings — 
 five and sixpence — five shillings — four and sixpence — come 
 now a dead bargain — four shillings, ladies!" "Four 
 shillings," echoed a voice, and a farmer's wife searched her 
 capacious pockets for the money. "All right, ma'am," and 
 the witty Cheap John lost no time with his hearty and 
 pleasant congratulations on her new acquisition, while he 
 was engaged unfolding a piece of lawn, which like a banner 
 sporting in the breeze floated over the individuals present. 
 "A grand remnant of the finest Belfast linen !" shouted the 
 well-dressed Peddler, "Now comes the gentlemen's turn, 
 married men or bachelors — all the same — like the women'' 
 — a knowing wink — " we're vain of our good looks — 
 Heaven help us ! — but it's the stylish shirt collar and sleeves 
 that marks the difference between the master and the boor. 
 The Dingle linen is good enough for every-day wear among 
 the country labourers, but the respectable farmer likes to 
 show off to advantage at fair or market, wedding or chris- 
 tening, before his own wife or the wives of others. The 
 smart young bachelor — and there are many of them about 
 me — won't be outdone in style by the married man, because 
 he has to chose a girl for his wife, who'd cry shame upon 
 him if he were like a gawk to meet her at dance or pattern. 
 Unless he catch her eye and captivate her good opinion 
 with a shirt of fine Belfast linen, he has no chance of her 
 hand, and he'll rank among the unmarried sleveens and 
 slovens all the dear days of his life. Hints enough for the 
 wise ; now, gentlemen, we begin the auction for the Belfast 
 linen !" The bell again rings. " Fifteen shillings for this 
 beautiful piece of cambric — fourteen shiUings — thirteen 
 
 I
 
 130 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 shillings — twelve shillings !" The auctioneer's watchful 
 eye, closely scanning the people around him, noticed a 
 farmer and his wife speaking in undertones and handling 
 the linen whenever it came within reach. " You're right", 
 ma'am, you're right ; if your good man lets it go lower, 
 he'll lose the chance. Eleven shillings," — a pause — "ten 
 shillings!" "Ten shillings," responded the farmer, and 
 immediately produced payment. 
 
 Amid banter and cajolery of this sort, swiftly proceeded 
 sales with the crowd, that was momently increasing, as the 
 Peddler's stock began to change hands and disappear, until 
 the shelves were emptied completely, and the various articles 
 found new owners. However, as the horse was put to the 
 light wagon, and as its owner turned the way by which he 
 had entered, another vehicle similarly appointed came into 
 view. The driver, holding the reins with one hand, applied 
 a trumpet to his mouth with the other. He blew a blast so 
 loud and shrill, that it reverberated to the very ends of the 
 town. 
 
 When the drivers passed each other, scowling looks of 
 apparent envy and ill-feeling were exchanged, while these 
 were interpreted by the crowd to mean jealousy and rivalry 
 in business ; but curiosity was the more excited to witness 
 the result, as the new comer drew his wagonette up in the 
 market place, and proceeded to expose his merchandise for 
 sale. Still more varied seemed the assortment, and the 
 more anxious became the people to contrast the articles and 
 prices with those of previous purchases. The day was slill 
 young, but approaching noon, and as the new Cheap John 
 was expeditious in arranging his booth, a vast multitude 
 soon collected around the van. He blew the trumpet by 
 way of commanding attention, and then assuming a discom- 
 posed and indignant air and attitude, attractively attired 
 as in the former case, and in his shirt sleeves, with folded 
 arms he commenced an oration in these words : — 
 
 " My guid folks o' the town o' Dingle an' the kintra 
 aroun', I wad hae wissd to hae raught ye earlier i' the 
 dawin ; forbye had I kenn'd a glib-gabbit o' a fella gaed 
 here afore mysel, I'd hae maked mair haste aniang ye. He 
 sklented aiblins an' wus unco wrang to tittle anent the 
 Waterford shipwrack, I rede ye. I warran' the shopkeepers 
 o' Dingle sell their gear to ye at twa prices ; but I trow 
 their troggin are guid, trig, an' winsome eneugh for thae 
 wha hae siller to sneek. Vera weel, they are naething like
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. I3I 
 
 fresh an' brent-new gudes. Ye may sware, the loon, wha 
 lea'ed the toun just noo gave ye nae fairins ere his gawn, 
 but maistly charged ye ower muckle for ony thing he sell't 
 ye, wi' his raibhn' gab. The folk here tauld me a wee bit, 
 what-reck, on comin' i' the toun, that he bleth'red anent a 
 shipwrack on the coast o' Waterford, an' that he bad low 
 for the roons an' orra-duddies he gar't ye to buy. Hech 
 friens, the ginglin' skyte wi' his vap'rin sud be i' the Tolbooth 
 an' prosecutet for his tricksies an' imposturs on simple folk. 
 It's unco hard for honest dealers to mak a livin' in business 
 wi' sae mony rogues abread ! Weel ma friens, I hae a 
 sicker an' trowthfu' story to tell ye, anent thae gudes I 
 brought frae Belfast, whar there was a great fier i' one o' the 
 bonniest warehooses o' the North, an' I cl aught monie o' the 
 best troggins feckly weel grippet awa, an' they gaed to me 
 at a laigh niffer, by the marchant, wha owned them ; for he 
 wiss'd to big his hoose anaw and stock it wi' new gear. 
 Sae it was bonnie luck for us a' to gang an' forgather i' the 
 toun o' Dingle, whar the folk hae sae muckle gumption, an' 
 the gudeman and guidwife, the lads an' lassies, hae sic a 
 kennen themsel o' swappin' an' wairin' siller for caller an' 
 unskaith'd gudes. I'll sell ye first-rate articles at the lowest 
 possible prices. That's the hale trowth, genties, an' there is 
 naething like fair dealin' at ween mon an' mon." 
 
 The front covering of the van was then removed, and 
 after a blast on the trumpet, the salesman unfolded a 
 number of silk handkerchiefs and other dry-goods. Where- 
 upon, he resumed the work of selling on the principle of 
 the Dutch auction. There was an affectation of candour 
 and sincerity about this travelling merchant, contrasting 
 greatly with the volatile and lively quips and cranks of his 
 predecessor, that quite recommended him to the country 
 people. Having fully gained their confidence, the sales 
 proceeded to the mutual satisfaction of the vendor and his 
 customers. While the former Peddler was pronounced to 
 be nothing better than a humbug and a dishonest knave, 
 the serious merchant at once became popular, and by 
 common acclaim he was deemed to be a fair trader and a 
 gentleman. Before many hours were passed, he had sold 
 at sufficiently good prices nearly all those articles which he 
 had brought in the wagonette. In turn, folding up the 
 frame-work, putting the horse harnessed to his vehicle, and 
 taking his place on the driver's seat, the crowd was then 
 about to disperse.
 
 132 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 Just at that moment, another stranger made his appear- 
 ance. He was differently costumed from the previous 
 visitors, and wore a dress-suit of grey tweed, with a green 
 neck-tie and a broad-brimmed white straw hat. He too was 
 seated on a box in front of a wagonette, set out and furnished 
 with wearables of various kinds. The incomer and the 
 outgoer nodded distantly and coldly to each other, not 
 seeming to recognise or acknowledge any former cordial 
 acquaintanceship. Moreover, the new actor on the stage of 
 life drove his horse with an air of triumph to the market- 
 place. There, having chosen his position, the coverings of 
 his goods-van were soon removed, and everything necessary 
 was done to prepare for his special share of the perform- 
 ance. 
 
 In the first instance, a drum was suspended by its band 
 from his neck, when a boy procured for the occasion 
 jumping up on the platform beside the travelling merchant 
 produced a fife from his breast pocket, and applying it to 
 his lips, the lively and well known air of "Garryowen" 
 was struck up, the drum sticks being skilfully used to effect 
 a resonant accompaniment, which greatly delighted the 
 crowd, beginning to assemble again from all quarters. The 
 business affairs of cattle-dealing had then been well nigh 
 transacted ; while the comfortable farmers and the humbler 
 peasants had disposed of their stock and had money in their 
 purses, to invest in other articles necessary for use and 
 ornament. The afternoon was advanced, and the various 
 attractions of the fair had ceased to be novelties ; while the 
 bargains between buyers and sellers were closed with the 
 usual treat, in one or other of the most frequented public- 
 houses of Dingle. As a consequence, no little elevation of 
 spirit and good feeling prevailed, although it was question- 
 able if the judgment was generally steady and well balanced 
 among the speculators who flocked to hear the inspiriting 
 sounds of the fife and drum. The music soon ceased, 
 however, and the instruments having been laid aside, the 
 stranger Peddler took his stand in front of his opened 
 wagonette, when in a vein of humour, and in a dialect more 
 "racy of the soil" than his earlier competitors employed, 
 began in a speech to court popular favour with different 
 arguments, and addressed still more to the feelings or 
 prejudices of the audience he had collected. 
 
 '* My fellow-counthrymin and counthrywimin, and honest 
 people o* Dingle, I'm sarry to find I wash late for the
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 1 33 
 
 openin' o' your fair to-day, an' that as I'm informed two 
 cheeky fellows got here afore me to impose on yees the 
 stuffs they sowld, and cheated yees widh their ways and 
 manes of carryin' on buisness. The first of thim that kem 
 here was a cute Yankee, as yees knew by his accent, and 
 the people of his counthry are able to bate all creation in 
 sharp dealin', especially widh the soft innocent Irish, that 
 ar'n't up to their thricks and notions. About goods in 
 gineral, they'd persuade yees that black is white, and take 
 every advantage of poor craythures, that don't know the 
 differ of a good from a bad article. Musha and shure 
 enough, they buy in the chapest market, and make their 
 profit by imposin' on all their cushtomers, and in spinin' 
 long yarns to desave those that are promished bargains. 
 The first chap towld yees, that his stock was bought from a 
 captain whose vessel was wracked on the coast of Wather- 
 ford, and may be it was so ; but take my word for it, the 
 articles of dhress he sowld yees were damaged by the salt- 
 wather, and war good for nothin' whin they were bought, 
 and they're worse nor ever now that he has got your money 
 for takin' thim off his hands. Before yees wear thim two 
 months, they'd be in rags, and all the needles and threads 
 yees 'ud use couldn't keep thim together any longer to 
 presint a dacent appearance. 
 
 " The second fella that kem here was from the black 
 North, and bad as the Yankee was for cuteness and desate, 
 the Ulsther vagabone would distance him in sharpness of 
 thrade practishes. Augh ! it's I that knows well what a 
 set of shkin-flints the Ulsthermen are ; and above all, their 
 Peddlers that thravel through the other provinces of Ireland 
 have no object in view, but to make as much money as they 
 can out o' yees, and give the worst article that can be found 
 to yees in exchange. He towld yees that his goods were 
 bought from a Belfast merchant at a low figure, bekase his 
 premisses was burned down, and he wanted to build new 
 ones and shtart in bus'niss agin. Yees may be sure the 
 goods were singed or scorched by the fire, or else why 
 wouldn't the marchant of Belfast keep them for his new 
 shop. It bates the world to think how such arrant chates 
 can make sinsible people b'lieve their lyin' stories, and 
 spind their money on the worthless and gim-crack articles 
 they set up for sale. 
 
 "Agin yees had the shcemein' Dutch auction brought 
 into play, only to prevint yees from havin' time to examine
 
 134 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS, 
 
 the showy rags that were offered for sale, and to take yees 
 by surprise when biddin' for them. Augh ! shure it's aUvays 
 the case, a fool and his money soon parted. Yees 'ill find 
 that many 'ill be sorry enough afore this day month, that 
 they bought any thing from the flash Yankee or from the 
 canny Ulsther Peddler at the fair of Dingle. Oh ! the 
 murdherin' thieves, to throw dust in the eyes of honest and 
 industhrious people, that earn their money hard enough, 
 and that want to lay it out for the advantage of thimselves 
 and families. 
 
 " Now I'm one of your own counthrymin, that wants to 
 promote the sale of honest Irish goods, and the prosperity 
 of home manufacthers ; and in throth, go where yees will, 
 all the world over, yees 'ill find nothin' betther nor more 
 substantial for serviceable wear, nor betther value for yer 
 money, bekase I wouldn't have my name and repetation 
 for rale articles of worth and bargains run down among 
 yees, whin I visit the fair of Dingle, as I hope to do agin, 
 afore many years pass over. I take the tower of Ireland, 
 through all the big towns, day afther day, and month afther 
 month, and everywhere I go, I give satisfaction to the 
 people, bekase I only bring useful and valuable goods in 
 my van, and save their pockets too, whin they dale widh 
 me, and not widh the shopkeepers, or worse still, widh the 
 vagabonds that thravel the counthry widh showy and 
 damaged articles, like those fellows here afore me sowld 
 yees. They 'II soon lose their colours and look shabby 
 enough afore they are long worn. Augh, no, my friends, 
 the stuffs that I brings yees for sale are the rale Cork 
 corduroys and tweeds, the Kilkenny blue cloths, the County 
 Meath gray frizes, and the Galway black frizes, the Mount- 
 rath tammies, the Mountmellick calicoes, plain and printed, 
 the twilled and well dyed stuffs, the Rathdrum blankets, 
 the Drogheda sheetings, the Waxford checks and linsey 
 woolsies, the County Monaghan linen shirtings, and the 
 Belfast fine linen for cuffs and collars ; in fact, every article 
 sowld guaranteed sound and good, and all med in Ireland, 
 so that while dhrivin' an honest thrade both buyer and 
 seller 'ill be afther kccpin' money in the counthry, and 
 helpin' hus all to live in comfort and proshperity. I saw 
 there was an open for such a thrade, and the people wanted 
 good value. I wished to spread Irish manufacthered goods 
 through the length and breadth of the Imerald Isle, and it's 
 the thrue way of showin' one's pathrolism, whin one has'nt
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 135 
 
 a mint of money to carry out great improvements in town 
 and counthry. 
 
 "We can't all be mimbers of parliament, my good friends, 
 like Daniel O'Connell — God bless him ! — and those that 
 have crassed the say widh him, to sthruggle for the Repale 
 of the Union, and the rights of Ireland, to give hus the 
 management of our own affairs, and to promote our national 
 welfare ; but until the day of indepindince comes, we must 
 all take his advice, which was that given by Dane Swift 
 over a hundred years ago, to incourage our own manufac- 
 therers that remain, and to thry and revive the industhries 
 of the last century, now fast decayin' undher the competition 
 of worthless English and foreign articles, and chates that 
 circulate thim everywhere over the counthry. When the 
 Tithes are abolished, the lands in the ownership of the 
 tinants and full scope for their industhry, nor charged with 
 rack-rints by an idle, gambling, horse-racing, extravagant 
 and absentee set of landlords ; whin the taxes and duties 
 levied on the people are well laid out and to their advantage, 
 on public improvements, by capable and thrust-worthy 
 managers, directed by a home government that cares for 
 the consarns and welfare of the counthry ; whin there is an 
 ind of jobbery and partisan, officialism, and aiqual rights for 
 all, Catheelic and Prodestan ; thin we may expect pace and 
 happiness in the land, and as our grand poet Tom Moore 
 says, she must become 
 
 * great, glorious and free, 
 First flower of the earth and first jim of the say.' " 
 
 Here a loud and general cheer burst forth from the 
 multitude present, and having thus wrought on their patriotic 
 feelings, the travelling merchant came to his peroration. 
 
 " But, my friends, we must now lave politics aside, and 
 turn to thrade, where I'm not goin' to have Dutch auctions 
 or other foreign thricks to chate yees ; but I'll show yees 
 the goods, handle them yerselves, judge of their soundness 
 and value ; I'll tell yees the number of yards in each piece 
 put up for sale, and I'll venture to say, you'll find thim 
 chaper than any goods ever offered for sale in the town of 
 Dingle." 
 
 Having delivered the foregoing oration with a volubility 
 of utterance — the result of open-air speeches practised on 
 many former occasions — and with an energy of voice and 
 gesticulation which fairly arrested the attention of the large
 
 136 . IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 audience then assembled around his van, the travelling 
 merchant produced his wearables in succession — this time 
 chiefly catering for the wants of the men, as the women had 
 most generally completed their purchases of finery in the 
 forenoon. The auction now commenced and concluded in 
 the old well known style of ascending bids, and these were 
 rapidly given, with occasional interjected remarks of the 
 auctioneer, to speed the sales. Pithy and humorous obser- 
 vations were at command of the salesman, and were freely 
 used to keep the bidders in a merry mood, and to stimulate 
 the general desire of obtaining great bargains. One by one 
 the pieces set up for competition were knocked down to the 
 highest bidder, and the cash for each was immediately 
 produced ; so that, at the approach of evening, the van was 
 nearly emptied of its contents. Then the owner re-arranged 
 his tarpauling over its roof, to take leave of his customers. 
 These waited for the last moment of exposure, to chance 
 the possession of some article which the merchant declared 
 he was anxious to part with, and at a loss to himself, so as 
 to sell off the remainder of his stock, and to procure new 
 goods for the next sale. 
 
 When the shades of night had set in, the three travelling 
 merchants of that day's adventures were to be found in 
 friendly companionship, with their vans drawn up in a 
 sheltered and secluded spot, not far from the public road 
 leading to Tralee. It was only there, and when they might 
 escape public observation in their selected bivouac, that a 
 watch fire could be kindled and kept aglow with the roots 
 and briars abounding in the place. With such fuel and a 
 few cookery utensils, a supper, consisting of rashers and 
 eggs fried in a pan, with potatoes simmering in a pot, was 
 hastily and skilfully prepared, while the kettle was full of 
 boiling-water to make tea and to mix tumblers of punch as 
 the finale of the evening's entertainment. Their busy work 
 at the fair left them little leisure to take more than a slight 
 luncheon, and so long as money was coming in, they could 
 not afford to lose time for any more substantial refreshment. 
 However, as their trade transactions in Dingle had been 
 eminently successful and satisfactory, their meal was all the 
 more relished ; and as the magical enlivenment of the 
 whiskey-punch produced its natural exhilaration, so were 
 their spirits elevated, while long and loud was the laughter 
 provoked in mutually relating the amusing incidents of their 
 several sales and anecdotesof the credulous customers taken
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 137 
 
 in by their persuasions, when leaving the fair with fancied 
 bargains. 
 
 The travelling merchants were three Mimster brothers, 
 who had been adventurers in early life, and who had sought 
 different places and methods in pursuit of gain. The first 
 in the fair, had emigrated to the United States, and having 
 acquired there some knowledge of sharp dealing and the 
 country accent had returned to his native land well practised 
 in the mysteries of a peddling business, which he followed 
 for some time in the backwoods. The second brother had 
 left his home in the south for Scotland when very young, 
 and afterwards he returned to Ireland, where he lived for a 
 time in the northern province. While in Ulster, he was 
 engaged at a Belfast retail establishment. There he had 
 learned the art of dealing with shrewd buyers and sellers of 
 shop goods. As a matter of course, he had gradually 
 exchanged his native soft pronunciation for the hard Scotch 
 and Doric dialect there prevalent. 
 
 These practised and intelligent retailers of dry goods and 
 articles for men's and women's wear had a third brother, 
 who remained at home in their native province of Munster. 
 Having resolved on a clever scheme to start and conduct a 
 family joint-stock company, he was trained to act his part 
 in the concern. They had so planned it, that each one- 
 should seem a rival to the other, when acting on the theatre 
 and in the scenes of their respective performances. INIore- 
 over, their customers in towns and villages through which 
 they passed were not allowed to suspect any collusion 
 between the confederates, who were to have all the appear- 
 ance of competing independently for public favour and 
 patronage. Hence it happened, that the third brother, who 
 could not disguise his native accent in any part of Ireland, 
 was able to represent his partners as a Yankee and Ulster- 
 man respectively, when he came to close the afternoon 
 sales. The scenes and procedure were often reversed, as 
 the circumstances of place and policy varied ; but the actors 
 were always the same, to whatever town or district they 
 travelled, while their circuits were extended even to the 
 most remote extremities of England and Scotland. 
 
 There can be no doubt, our adventurers had better 
 studied the propensities of human beings, and the great 
 extent to which their gullibility may be carried, than did 
 the philosopher Locke, who maintained the very question- 
 able theory, that words are the signs of our ideas, and that
 
 138 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS, 
 
 they tend to convey our meaning between man and man. 
 Such indeed ought be their use and purport, if strict integ- 
 rity and honesty of intention generally prevailed ; but 
 indirectness of speech and hypocrisy are so frequently the 
 ruling propensities of society, in all grades, that a character, 
 who figured conspicuously in public affairs and in many 
 shadowy transactions of a secret nature, is said to have 
 regarded words, as framed to conceal our thoughts, and 
 mainly to be employed for that end. From the highest 
 concerns of State to the petty schemes that regulate the 
 ordinary actions of life, men are constantly engaged in 
 playing at cross purposes, calculated to deceive their fellow- 
 men, and to divert attention from real motives and objects. 
 It is especially the study of pettifogging diplomacy and 
 statecraft, unwisely to indulge over-vaulting ambition, and 
 to exercise what is only low cunning, in seeking personal 
 ends or political aggrandizement — sure to be followed by 
 the recoil of diminished honour and the sacrifice of true 
 national interests. To succeed in such efforts, misleading 
 schemes and unscrupulous agents must be employed or 
 countenanced, so that responsibilities may be shifted from 
 the principals ; especially when failure becomes the penalty, 
 and detection of fraud may be apprehended, with the fear 
 of disgrace and exposure resulting. 
 
 Of late, we have had some pregnant instances, showing 
 the want of wisdom, and even the deplorable perversity of 
 moral feelings, with which our men of State disregard or 
 interpret international relations. When it becomes a 
 question of dealing with a small and defenceless territory, 
 threats of force are employed to gain advantages over a 
 people that demand only justice ; but when a powerful 
 nation blocks the way, caution and evasion must be observed, 
 in every movement that might be fraught with dangerous 
 consequences. When Venezuela had long sought in vain 
 for the exact definition of a boundary line between herself 
 and British Guiana, Lord Salisbury, the English Premier 
 and Secretary of State, had arrogantly interfered to press 
 his claim for a large accession of territory beyond the 
 disputed line, in apparent ignorance of the Monroe Doctrine, 
 and its bearing on the case ; but, he was rather disconcerted, 
 when assured by the United States' government, that it had 
 an interest and a voice in the matter, which must form the 
 subject for an impartial arbitration. Nothing is more 
 hurtful to a responsible minister's pride than to find himself
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. I39 
 
 surprised in a false and discomfited position ; while 
 expedients must be devised for a safe retreat, unless 
 prepared to preserve his contention, and at a risk which 
 boded rather serious consequences. 
 
 Nearly concurrent with the foregoing incidents was the 
 attempt to overturn the independent Transvaal Republic of 
 South Africa. In 1840, a number of Dutch farmers, 
 dissatisfied with the administration of Government at the 
 Cape, left that Colony, and established themselves in Natal. 
 There the British Government interfered, and annexed 
 that settlement. Rather than submit to such usurpation, 
 the majority of Boers again removed from under the English 
 rule, and crossing the Drakensbergen and the Vaal Rivers, 
 established in that territory the South African Republic, 
 acknowledged in 1854 by the English Government as a free 
 and an independent State. The people had many troubles 
 with the Kaffir hordes around them. On pretence of 
 befriending the natives, in 1877 the English Government 
 again interfered, and annexed that country. Meantime, 
 the Boers had increased in numbers, and were determined 
 not to be driven out of their country again ; so that after 
 three years of preparation, war broke out on the i6th of 
 December, 1880, Wherever the Boers and English met, 
 although numerically stronger, the latter were decidedly 
 beaten. After the battle of Amajuba, the retrocession of 
 their country by treaty in 1881, and under British suzerainty, 
 was followed by peace. This was modified in 1884, by the 
 British Resident's removal, England reserving to herself 
 the privilege of controlling the foreign relations of the 
 Transvaal, except as regarded the Orange Free State. 
 When the Republic had been formed, S. J. P. Paul Kriiger 
 was proclaimed President, and in April 1893, ^^ was re- 
 elected to that office. 
 
 Soon after its independence had been established, the 
 southern portion of the Transvaal was discovered to abound 
 in gold and other valuable mineral products, which soon 
 attracted to it a motley and greedy multitude of adventurers 
 — mostly British — from the neighbouring English Colonies. 
 At the very beginning of such inroads, the Dutch Govern- 
 ment regarded their movements and objects with suspicion. 
 As their numbers rapidly increased, it was found that 
 agitators were at work to obtain privileges, which were 
 intended ultimately to subvert the Republic, and to re-annex 
 it, with its inhabitants, to the British Crown. Internal and
 
 I40 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 external plots were organised for that purpose. Having 
 arranged a plan of invasion, towards the close of 1895, 
 Dr. Jameson with a number of military officers and other 
 English officials attempted a hostile inroad, which was 
 effectively checked by the Boers. The survivors of that 
 sharp engagement were made prisoners. The failure of 
 such a disgraceful attempt was a subject of great disappoint- 
 ment, both in England, and in her African colonies, while 
 it disconcerted the policy of the Home Cabinet, supposed 
 to have had no knowledge of what was concerted, and 
 nevertheless what was most likely to take place, as generally 
 expected in that remote part of the world. 
 
 The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr. Joseph 
 Chamberlain, pleaded ignorance of the fiUibustering raid, 
 and affected virtuous indignation on account of it being 
 undertaken, by so many of his subaltern officials. However, 
 a new subject of unpleasantness arose for the Ministry, 
 when, after being subjected to a short imprisonment, the 
 raiders were turned over to them for trial according to 
 English law by President Krilger and his Cabinet. When 
 those miscreants arrived in England, the public press and 
 many of the people applauded them for what was called 
 "pluck," regarding them as heroes ; and when the German 
 Emperor very significantly conveyed his congratulations to 
 President Kriiger on the discomfiture of their enterprise, a 
 cry of rage went forth — not lessened, indeed, when by 
 another complication the Ministry learned, that the United 
 States Government had set up their own independent 
 tribunal, solely to arbitrate after due examination on the 
 pending case of the disputed boundary between Venezuela 
 and the colony of British Guiana. The most ridiculous 
 part of the farce was then played by the responsible advisers 
 of her Majesty the Queen. The newspaper press was set 
 on to spread the rumour, that new taxes should be levied 
 on the nation, as extraordinary preparations were making 
 or to be made in the dock-yards, for increasing the number 
 of war-vessels, and for putting those already built into a 
 thorough state of repair and efficiency. Nothing however 
 was said about the army. Sensible people looked abroad, 
 but saw no enemy in view ; while foreign powers were 
 rather amused than panic-stricken with such announcements. 
 After a short time, quiet was restored, as nobody offered to 
 fight ; the trials of the Transvaal raiders were leniently 
 conducted, and with due forms of law ; a few were con-
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. I4I 
 
 demned to brief terms of comfortable imprisonment ; the 
 officers holding commissions were cashiered, but recom- 
 mended to look abroad for future promotion ; and thus all 
 the ends of justice were supposed to have been accomplished. 
 While the Chief Governor, High Commissioner, and 
 Commander-in-Chief of South Africa had slept on his post 
 during the Transvaal raid, the Premier of Cape Colony, 
 Right Hon. Cecil John Rhodes, had conducted himself in 
 an intermeddling and naughty manner, and was summoned 
 duly to a private conference with the Secretary of State for 
 the Colonies — the newspapers said to receive an indignant 
 reprimand and to answer for his transgressions. Shrewd 
 persons have thought, they then smoked together the 
 calamut of good-fellowship and peace ; planned confiden- 
 tially future operations in reference to the Boers ; and like 
 the confederate brothers of our tale, whose object was to 
 deceive their customers, men of state and politicians can 
 stoop to many discreditable projects, and even more effec- 
 tually screen themselves from detection, while sailing under 
 false colours and professing to have in view only the 
 promotion of public interests. 
 
 Moreover, like the pretended opposition of those con- 
 federates already mentioned was that difference of opinion, 
 stated by the press to have arisen between Lord Salisbury 
 and Mr. Chamberlain, when the former found it politic to 
 lower his high-handed pretensions in reference to Venezuela, 
 and his earlier misjudging diplomatic correspondence, 
 which ruled him out of court with the United States, Not 
 from the force of circumstances, but owing to the expediency 
 of having to break the fall, in a manner more graceful, it 
 was necessary to disguise the foreign pressure, and to feign 
 a changed resolution, by yielding to the supposed persuasion 
 of colleagues in the Cabinet. This plan had the advantage 
 of deceiving the general public — apt enough to take plausible 
 statements for truths — also of saving personal credit when 
 seriously damaged, and of serving the purposes of party 
 alliance, by giving the Opposition a false scent in hoping for 
 discord, when in reality a ready agreement to differ and 
 coalesce tuned the harmonic chords between political 
 tricksters — perchance most distrustful of each other, but 
 not forgetful of their own particular interests and official 
 position, even when misdirecting national concerns and 
 compromising national honour.
 
 142 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 No. XXX. 
 
 LEGEND OF THE MULLET, COUNTY OF MAYO. 
 
 *' For see all around him, in white foam and froth 
 The waves of the ocean boil up in their wrath." 
 
 — T. Crofton Croker's Lord of Dunkerron. 
 
 " The winds the sullen deep that tore 
 His death song chaunted loud, 
 The weeds that line the clifted shore 
 
 Were all his hvirial shroud ; 
 For friendly wail and holy dirge 
 
 And long lament of love, 
 Around him roared the angry surge, 
 The curlew screamed above." 
 
 — Gerald Griffin's WaJie without a Corpse. 
 
 In the remote north-western part of the barony of Erris, 
 in the County of Mayo, lies the ahiiost insulated district 
 known as the Mullet. The isthmus which unites it to the 
 mainland is occupied by the rather modern town of Bel- 
 mullet, between Broad Haven on the north, and Black Sod 
 Bay to the south. These approach within 400 yards of 
 each other, and could be united by a ship canal, at no very 
 considerable cost, so as to form a completely land-locked 
 harbour, with ready ingress and egress for vessels, as the 
 winds varied their direction. Within that peninsula, the 
 Irish-speaking inhabitants have had little intercourse with 
 the outside world, and they are a simple race, subsisting for 
 the most part on the poorest fare, drawn from a barren soil 
 on land, and from the sea those fishes which are taken in 
 their nets. They are still addicted to many usages and 
 .superstitions, unknown to the peasantry in other parts of 
 Ireland. 
 
 Like the Highlanders and inhabitants living in the 
 Western Isles of Scotland, the Mullet people believe in a 
 *' second sight," and in strange apparitions — especially as 
 foreshadowmg calamities about to happen at sea. Thus 
 before furious tempests, which result in shipwrecks and loss 
 of life, shooting stars and preternatural gleams of light are 
 seen in the skies, and reflected again in the waves of the 
 Atlantic Ocean. A still more appalling prognostic is the
 
 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. I43 
 
 monstrous and vapoury form, that rises from the deep and 
 hides its head in the clouds, when it suddenly vanishes. 
 Somewhat resembling a gigantic human figure, it rushes 
 onwards for a time with great velocity and of irregular 
 shape. It is probably but the ordinary movement of a 
 water-spout. However, this is regarded by the natives, as 
 an evil spirit, which calls upon the whirlwinds to rage, and 
 it is knovvn to them as The Storm Spectre. 
 
 Within the memory of many still living is that destructive 
 cyclone, which happened on the night of January 6th, 1839, 
 and which travelling from a western direction threw vast 
 sheets of water and yeasty spray over the cliffs along the 
 Atlantic coasts. The Islands of Aran and several of the 
 smaller islands out in the ocean were flooded by rivers of 
 the salt- waves, that rolled over the steeps, which were 
 highest near the exposed points, and then down the slopes 
 entering the sea at the eastern shores, the waters washed 
 away much of the light mould, created through the industry 
 of the islanders. These people are accustomed to carry 
 loads of sea-weed and fine sand, from the shallows to the 
 upper levels on the naked rocks, and there spreading them 
 in alternate layers on little plots of ground to form an 
 artificial soil, on which their scanty crops of potatoes and 
 oats are sown. Their chief means of subsistence, however, 
 were the fisheries, then carried on by the well appointed 
 hookers and the small craft of canvas- covered boats called 
 currachs. 
 
 The evening before that disaster alluded to occurred, 
 several of the Mullet peasantry observed far out on the 
 western horizon the ocean waves, which seemed to swell 
 upwards, until they assumed the magnitude of a great 
 mountain. Then, from its summit the spirit of the wind^ 
 suddenly arose, lifting as it were a columnar and misshapen 
 figure to the very clouds, in which its head was finally 
 veiled. Meanwhile, two gigantic arms kept waving wildly 
 on either side, and at their extremities were hands of fire, 
 flashing like lightning, while the features of a frightful ogre 
 were visible in the column, and luminous through the 
 evening gloom. In fine, the Storm Spectre dissolved, as 
 the shades of night approached, and those who witnessed 
 the phenomenon were filled with terror, as, seeking their 
 respective homes, they formed presages of evil believed to 
 be almost immediately impending. 
 
 When the next morning dawned, all the sea-faring people
 
 144 IRISH LOCAL LEGENDS. 
 
 on land, and the families of others still at sea, anxiously 
 watched the foul weather forecasts, and strained their eyes 
 in the direction of the Atlantic, most eager to see the 
 distant fishing smacks return to harbour, while day- light 
 still lingered. The desires of some were gratified, as 
 certain vessels and their occupants reached the land in 
 safety ; however, as night set in, the full fury of the gale 
 beat upon the coast, and the tempest howled unceasingly, 
 driving every thing before it, while no eye was closed in 
 the fishermen's huts that so thickly lined the shores. Not 
 only were the straw thatch, and the transverse ropes of hay 
 pegged down to secure it, blown away from their roofs ; 
 but, even the stone-built cabins were levelled in various 
 cases, while the crash of hookers and of small boats beaten 
 against the rocks, with the doleful cry of the drowning 
 sailors, carried dismay to the hearts of all who heard those 
 dreadful sounds, and who were utterly powerless to render 
 any assistance. 
 
 Of those out at sea on that night of fearful storm, few 
 escaped with their lives ; yet, for days after it abated, many 
 dead bodies were recovered, and recognised by widowed 
 wives, orphaned children, or loving brothers, sisters and 
 relations. Although decomposed in several instances, the 
 wake was held as usual and the caoine chaunted, before the 
 mangled remains were consigned to the grave. Even in 
 the case of those whose bodies could not be found, according 
 to the invariable custom of their families surviving, a sort 
 of humble pall or shroud was spread over some frame-work 
 resembling a coffin, and mourners duly attended for two 
 days and two nights ; while, in the grave plot of his people, 
 a cenotaph or head-stone was set up as a memorial, by the 
 lost mariner's sorrowing relatives. So great was the loss 
 of life and of boats at the time, that the fishery industries 
 around all the western coasts of Ireland received a shock 
 from which they never since recovered; nor is it likely such 
 operations shall be fully revived and developed, until com- 
 panies be formed with sufficient capital and enterprise, 
 having steam-vessels suitably equipped, and with curing 
 premises readily accessible through railway communication 
 at convenient stations. 
 
 THE END.
 
 Murks hg i\t Sanu ^\\i\Qt. 
 
 1. Abridgment of the History of Ireland, from its 
 Final Subjection to the Present Time — 1849. 
 
 Patrick Donahoe, Boston, U.S.A., 1849, i8mo. 
 I'n'ce 10 Cents. 
 
 2. The Irish Emigrant's Guide for the United 
 States. 
 
 Patrick Donahoe, Boston, 1851, i8mo. 
 
 Price 25 Cents. 
 
 "There is published, of late, a very important and com- 
 plete Emigrants' Guide, by a Catholic Clergyman, Rev. 
 John O'Hanlon, which is the best assistant that can be 
 procured to direct the emigrant." — The Nation (1851.) 
 
 3. The Life of St. Laurence Toole, 
 
 Archbishop of Dublin, and Delegate Apostolic of 
 
 the Holy See for the Kingdom of Ireland. 
 
 John Mullany, i Parliament Street, Dame Street, Dublin. 
 1857. i8mo. Cloth, gilt. 
 
 Price One Shilling and Sixpence. 
 
 ^ " This graceful little memoir of one of Ireland's sainted 
 bishops, from the pen of a well-known ecclesiastical scholar 
 and antiquarian, will be an acceptable boon to the readers 
 of Irish Hagiology ; and it is all the more welcome, because 
 it is but the prelude to a more extensive work, which is to 
 embrace the Lives of all the Irish Saints. The work before 
 us displays an amount of care and historic research highly 
 creditable to the author."— TA^ Celt. 
 
 (I) a
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 ** Though Father O'Hanlon has been anticipated by 
 others who laboured in the same field, it must be acknow- 
 ledged, to his credit and critical acumen, that his biography 
 of St. Laurence is by far the best that has appeared as yet, 
 and that the copious annotations he has collected from the 
 most recondite sources throw additional light on that dark 
 and dismal era, when ' Lorcan, son of Maurice,' prayed and 
 toiled — alas, in vain!— to unite his countrymen in one grand 
 defensive league against the invader." — Nation. 
 
 '♦'The Life of St. Laurence O'Toole,' by the Rev. J. 
 O'Hanlon, is one of the most accurate, critical, and impor- 
 tant biographies of our sainted and patriotic bishop ever 
 published." — Catholic Directory and Registry for 1858. 
 
 ** We have lingered with delight over its pages, stood in 
 imagination by the Saint's side, and listened during his 
 distinguished reception by Pope Alexander IIL, when that 
 bright pillar of the Holy See appointed him Legate of all 
 Ireland — an office filled, even in our day, by a saintly 
 Prelate, on whom the Father of the Faithful has conferred 
 a similar distinction. In our mind's eye we have beheld 
 the heavenly calm on his smiling countenance, as he sank 
 down to the sleep of the blessed, whilst a transcendent 
 brilliance illumed the heavens over the Chateau d'Eu ; and 
 at length, closing the deeply touching records, we are trans- 
 ported to the church dedicated to the glorious saint." — 
 Catholic Telegraph. 
 
 " A flood of light is thrown on the ecclesiastical antiqui- 
 ties of Dublin and Glendalough, which is exceedingly 
 interesting and valuable. But it is his able detection of the 
 false statements hitherto put forth respecting Archbishop 
 O'Toole which renders this memoir one of peculiar utility 
 to the present and future student of history. To perform a 
 task so beset with difficulty, Mr. O'Hanlon must have read 
 deeply and perseveringly, and we can appreciate the 
 laborious research which the various objects of his work 
 necessitated." — Weekly Agricultural Revieiv. 
 
 *' This book is valuable in itself as a repertory of rare 
 and original information as to the early history of the Island 
 of Saints, especially as regards the ecclesiastical antiquities 
 of Dublin and Glendalough. It is also to be prized as the 
 first of a promised series of volumes, containing a complete 
 history, to be presented for the first time to the public, of 
 the Lives of the Saints in Ireland. This great undertaking 
 (2)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 has been ably and spiritedly commenced by the Rev. Mr. 
 O'Hanlon, whose rare acquirements as a scholar and an 
 Irish archaeologist seem to fit him peculiarly for the task. 
 This volume is brought out in a neat and elegant manner, 
 and its value is enhanced by a series of careful annotations 
 and authorities. It will be found amply to repay perusal, 
 and to furnish a pleasing addition to the treasures of a 
 domestic library. We shall look forward with interest to 
 the publication of the forthcoming volumes of the series." 
 — Free7nan''s Journal. 
 
 ** Our author's volume is not a large one, but it is skil- 
 fully put together ; and he has produced a work not merely 
 of local but of general interest. There is something in it 
 to attract every reader. In the elaborate and copious notes, 
 the ecclesiologist and antiquarian will find a fund of infor- 
 mation, as he has carefully and indefatigably consulted 
 every available authority — Ussher, Ware, Colgan, the Bol- 
 landists, Lanigan, etc. — and has derived considerable assist- 
 ance from the labours of Dr. O'Donovan, Professor Curry, 
 and the Rev. Dr. Todd." — Irish Literary Gazette. 
 
 "This work was the more urgently required, that much 
 ignorance prevailed respecting the life of St. Laurence, 
 owing to the wanton misrepresentation of hostile, careless, 
 and faithless chroniclers. Father O'Hanlon has laboured 
 successfully to refute the false views which were propagated 
 by political or religious malevolence, and to set the character 
 of the illustrious subject of his work in a true light before 
 the public. To effect this, he has read diligently and 
 deeply ; and we are happy to observe tha* his researches 
 have placed in his hands, or put him on the track of, 
 materials for a series of sacred biographies, which will com- 
 prise the Acts of over 500 of our National Saints. Such a 
 task could not be undertaken by any one more competent 
 for its perfect execution ; and there can be little doubt that 
 the merits of the series, combined with the moderate rate 
 at which it will be issued to the public, will secure it a 
 large amount of popular favour and support." — Dublin 
 Evening Post. 
 
 "We hope to see Mr. O'Hanlon's book extensively 
 circulated in this country. It is a work which displays a 
 large amount of learning and research, and is, therefore, a 
 very valuable contribution to our literature." — New York 
 Tablet. 
 
 (3)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 4. The Life of St. Malachy O'Morgair, 
 
 Bishop of Down and Connor, Archbishop of Armagh, 
 Patron of these several Dioceses, and Delegate 
 Apostolic of the Holy See for the Kingdom of 
 Ireland. 
 
 Dublin : John O'Daly, 9 Anglesea Street. 
 
 1859. 8vo. Cloth,Vlt- 
 
 Pi'ice Six Skill it igs. 
 
 *' His publication shows not only an acquaintance with 
 the classical works upon his subject, but much collateral 
 reading ; while he has availed himself both of the writings 
 and suggestions of contemporaries. His notes, in particular, 
 show great diligence, and a most praiseworthy minuteness 
 and accuracy. We do not pretend to criticise him in detail, 
 but we are safe in saying, that he has written as a scholar 
 ought to write, and as a biography ought to be written." 
 — The J^ ambler. 
 
 '* This volume will be found to contain authentic reference 
 for every matter of fact which it sets forth. The numerous 
 miracles wrought by St. Malachy in Ireland will be found 
 affirmed by reliable authorities. The chapters which 
 describe the state of the Church, the habitudes of the people, 
 and their political and social status, during the life and 
 mission of St. Malachy, are illustrated by copious notes and 
 references, which will be duly appreciated by the historical 
 reader. We repeat that this volume of the 'Acta Sanctorum' 
 of our native land more than realises our warmest anticipa- 
 tions." — Freeman'' s Journal. 
 
 "But no complete Life of the Saint appeared till the 
 present, by Father O'Hanlon, who has brought to his task 
 a strong love for Irish antiquarian lore, and a clear and 
 vigorous style of composition. The book is also enriched 
 with copious notes, illustrative of the state of the Irish 
 Church in the tenth and eleventh centuries, which, in them- 
 selves, are exceedingly valuable." — Neiv York Tablet. 
 
 "The Irish Church owes no trifling debt of gratitude to 
 the literary labours of the author of the Life of St. Malachy 
 O'Morgair. The Rev. Mr. O'Hanlon brings to his task all 
 the requisites that constitute a profound hagiologist, and we 
 are therefore presented, in this Life of one of the most 
 
 (4)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 illustrious of our National Saints, with everything necessary 
 to make such a biography complete, interesting and thor- 
 oughly reliable." — Telegraph. 
 
 " A book thus made up commands our respect for the 
 author's unwearied diligence ; and, as we turn over its 
 pages, we are strongly reminded of Diocletian's Nicomedian 
 palace, which was built out of the fragments of many a 
 stately edifice, and whose architect earned fame for working 
 into one harmonious whole the capitals, shafts, friezes, and 
 relievos of his predecessors and contemporaries." — Nation. 
 
 *' The Rev. author is also well known in Irish literature 
 generally. His life of St. Malachy O'Morgair evinces his 
 acquaintance with the rarest muniments of the Government 
 offices in Dublin, as well as an extensive reading in every 
 department of Irish History," — Kilkemty Moderator. 
 
 " Mr. O'Hanlon's biography of the Saint is entitled to 
 praise for his conscientious research and painstaking 
 accuracy." — Tablet. 
 
 "The author's rare acquirements as a scholar and archae- 
 ologist peculiarly qualify him for the study and illustration 
 of Irish Hagiology ; and we are gratified to perceive that 
 his researches have placed in his hands materials for a series 
 of ecclesiastical biographies, comprising the acts of five 
 hundred Irish Saints. If the Rev. Mr. O'Hanlon but half 
 complete this great design, he will have earned for himself 
 the distinctive appellation of 'the Alban Butler of Ireland.'" 
 — Weekly Agricultural Review. 
 
 5. The Life of St. Dympna, Virgin, Martyr, and 
 Patroness of Gheel; 
 
 With some Notices of 
 St. Gerebern, Priest, Martyr, and Patron of Sonsbeck. 
 
 Dublin : James Duffy, Wellington Quay. 
 1863. i8mo. Cloth, gilt. 
 
 Price One Shilling. 
 
 "As for ourselves, we consider it quite a relief, as, no 
 doubt, it will be a pleasure and advantage to others, to 
 know that the legend of St. Dympna and the history of 
 Gheel are, happily, at last within the reach of all, even the 
 
 (5)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 least opulent readers, and may be found in a pretty little 
 volume, the fruit of abundant care and laborious research, 
 entitled, 'The Life of St. Dympna,' by the Rev. John 
 O'Hanlon. So henceforth, inquiring spirits need not be, 
 with a significant wave of the hand, referred to the Bol- 
 landists, reposing, in all but inaccessible state, on the shelves 
 of great libraries — a sealed book to the multitude. Adven- 
 turous tourists, who do visit Gheel, may not any more, 
 through sheer want of information, pass by unheeded the 
 most interesting objects ; and tarry-at-home travellers may 
 very comfortably, if they will, make themselves up on a 
 snbject interesting alike to the curious in legendary lore, 
 the antiquary, and the moral philosopher." — The Lamp. 
 
 " In a short notice like this, it would be impossible to 
 give anything like a sketch of this almost romantic history 
 of the Life of the Saint, and we must refer our readers to 
 the work itself — a work upon which the greatest care has 
 been bestowed, and which may fairly take its place with 
 those famous 'Lives' issued from the saintly hands of the 
 Oratorians. * * * * ^ work of this kind, written by 
 a Rev. gentleman, who is already distinguished in this 
 species of literature, by his ' Life of St. Laurence O'Toole,' 
 and • Life of St. Malachy O'Morgair,' Archbishop of Armagh, 
 must be a treat indeed." — Kilkenny Jojirnal. 
 
 "This very elaborate and gracefully written Life of an 
 Irish Saint, little known in Ireland, is well worth perusal. 
 The notes and criticisms show that the author has devoted 
 great labour to this memoir, and taken great care to bring 
 together all circumstances which bear upon St. Dympna's 
 life." — Irishman. 
 
 *' Every courteous feeling towards the author — with every 
 respect for his zeal, and every appreciation of the ability 
 with which he treats his subject." — Dublin Builder. 
 
 " When, in addition to this kind of merit, we find that it 
 beautifully instils one of the most sublime virtues which 
 lead to Christian holiness, it undoubtedly possesses strong 
 claims on the attention of a Catholic public. The pious 
 author seems to feci fully sensible of the delicate and 
 poetical character of his theme. He has spared no pains 
 in attending to every circumstance which might naturally 
 tend to increase the interest of his felicitously chosen subject. 
 He has joined the erudition of the scholar to the zeal of the 
 minister of the Gospel, and is fully entitled to the approval 
 (6)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 and support of all the true lovers of Irish literature." — 
 Tipper ary Free Press. 
 
 " The Rev. author has not taken his information from 
 ordinary or questionable authorities. He has gone to the 
 sources of traditions of glorious heroes and heroines of the 
 Irish Church, and he has visited abroad and at home the 
 spots that have been honoured by their names and sanctified 
 by their virtues. All this he has performed with that care 
 and energy vv^hich zeal ever brings to a work of patriotism, 
 faith, and love. Under an unpretending exterior the ' Life 
 of St. Dympna' contains the result of deep research and 
 patient study, and it is one of those truly good books to 
 which we have before alluded, and calculated to make the 
 study of the lives of the true heroes of humanity popular 
 with all who admire what is really great, and love what is 
 truly good. Mr. Duffy has produced this little emerald 
 gem with his usual care, and we have much pleasure in 
 recommending it. In conclusion, we sincerely hope that 
 the Rev. author will soon give us another of thoseyf^wrj du 
 del, and we wish him the success ever deserved by those 
 who act up to the great maxim — Dieu et patric^ — Freemat^s 
 Journal, 
 
 " The Rev. author has added another to the many obli- 
 gations which the National Church owes him, in thus 
 rescuing from obscurity, or rather oblivion, the memory of 
 two Saints, the odour of whose sanctity has been diffused, 
 not only over the land in which it first became known, but 
 throughout the Catholic world. Their present biographer, 
 whose labours in the antiquities and ecclesiology of his 
 country have already gained for him a most decidedly high 
 repute, has by this last ' labour of love,' as he so happily 
 terms it, shown how zealous and untiring he continues to be 
 in the service of his Divine Master and his Church, Uniting 
 in himself, in an eminent degree, the requirements of a 
 sincere patriot, a good priest, and an eminent writer, Father 
 O'Hanlon stands before us as an ornament to his order, and 
 a truly faithful shepherd of the flock which he so wisely and 
 vigilantly guides and directs. No Catholic family through- 
 out the length and breadth of the land should be without 
 this admirable memoir of the two Saints who flourished in 
 those early ages when a portion of Ireland was still inhabited 
 by pagans." — Catholic Telegraph. 
 
 " A very neat little volume, brought out with much taste, 
 
 (7)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 and highly creditable to the enterprising publisher. The 
 author, the Rev. Mr. O'Hanlon, R.C.C. SS. Michael and 
 John, Dublin, is well known in connection with our local 
 Archoeolo^ical Society, for his great industry in calendaring 
 the papers and memoirs of the Ordnance Survey ; thus 
 rendering the investigation of those valuable documents of 
 comparative facility to the students in Irish topographical 
 and historical research. * * * * -p^e ' Life of St. 
 Dympna,' now before us, is, properly speaking, a book of 
 devotion, and will, no doubt, be read with much interest by 
 the members of the writer's own communion. With its 
 sentimentalism or dogmas, we cannot be supposed either to 
 sympathise or agree. * * * * We cannot withhold 
 from his labours the meed of our approbation, though we 
 may not chime in with his views nor coincide in his conclu- 
 sions." — Kilkenny Moderator. 
 
 " A very interesting work." — The Month. 
 
 *' The biography of the Irish Saint and Martyr, St. 
 Dympna, reads like a romance. Her name is still cherished 
 here in Ireland, and on the scene of her trials and sufferings, 
 in legend and fireside story. It is needless to say that the 
 volume is quite as entertaining as it is edifying — that it 
 contains as much interesting matter in the romantic story of 
 St. Dympna's adventures, trials, sufferings, and martyrdom, 
 as it does good and holy lessons of purity, piety, and con- 
 stancy." — Nation (First Notice). 
 
 " In fact, it was not till the publication of the Rev. John 
 O'Hanlon's 'Life of St. Dympna' that detailed and reliable 
 information could be got. That comprehensive and erudite 
 little book has supplied a serious want, and visitors to 
 Gheel will find it their advantage to take it with them as a 
 pocket companion in future." — Nation (Second Notice). 
 
 " We have been exceedingly edified by, and deeply 
 interested in, the perusal of the ' Life of St. Dympna,' a 
 ' martyr both to the faith and to chastity,' and slaughtered 
 by her own father's hand." — Boston Pilot. 
 
 (8)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 6. Catechism of Irish History, from the Earliest 
 Events to the Death of O'Connell. 
 
 John Mullany, i Parliament Street, Dublin. 
 1864. i8mo. 
 
 Price Two Shillings. 
 
 " The reverend author of the little work under notice has 
 entered on his task of compiling a Catechism of Irish 
 History in a most commendable and candid spirit, setting 
 nothing down in malice, nor putting himself forward as an 
 apologist or advocate, but the narrator of fact and events 
 in their unadorned and simple truth. The plan of the work 
 is at once familiar, perspicacious and elegant. There is no 
 attempt made at tine writing, nor effect sought to be 
 obtained by word painting or exaggeration. The author 
 proposed to himself to write a hand-book of Irish History 
 for the use of schools, and with that view he has divided 
 the work into lessons, and at the end of each lesson or 
 chapter the questions to be answered are placed in admirable 
 and consecutive order. At a time like the present, when 
 every effort is being made to make Irishmen forget the past 
 of their country, which influenced, more than any other in 
 western Europe, the destinies of mankind, the appearance 
 of the Rev. John O'Hanlon's historical catechism is most 
 opportune. He has discharged his important duty as a 
 Christian minister, a gentleman, patriot and scholar ; he 
 gives offence to none in the evidence which he produces, 
 nor has he descended to the meanness of making a book 
 for the instruction of the young a medium for conveying ill- 
 natured statements, or for engendering hostility or ill-feeling 
 between those who conscientiously differ from one another 
 in politics and religion. He has not overdone his work, 
 but has strictly adhered to a rule which he has carried out 
 to the end. His catechism should be generally used in all 
 schools where young Irishmen are instructed, no matter 
 what creed they may profess." — Freeman^ s Journal. 
 
 *'\Ve would call attention to a Httle Catechism of Irish 
 History, by Mr. O'Hanlon, the writer of those pleasant 
 papers on Irish Folk-Lore Mythology, that have recently 
 appeared in these pages. The papers, we think, prove that 
 he can treat his subject attractively, and the following 
 
 (9)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 extract from bis Preface is equally conclusive evidence, that 
 he possesses the other and more important qualifications of 
 the historian." — Gentleman' s Magazine. 
 
 "The quantity of historical matter is immense, clearly 
 assorted, and very judiciously selected. We are glad to see 
 manifested an impartiality, without which history is not 
 merely valueless, but absolutely poisonous." — Irishman. 
 
 " We are anxious to see this History of Ireland at once 
 in the hands of the members of our Young Men's Societies 
 throughout Ireland, in use in our schools, and in the library 
 of every Irishman." — S/igo Champion. 
 
 " The publication of this excellent volume, at the low 
 price of two shillings, should be regarded as a boon by that 
 large class of Irishmen, who, by the cost of preceding works 
 on the same subject, have been prevented from acquiring 
 a knowledge of their country's history. They should procure 
 this book for themselves ; they should put it into the hands 
 of their children. * * * * For young men who have 
 not previously bestowed attention on this subject, Father 
 O'Hanlon's work will form an excellent commencement. 
 Should leisure and inclination enable them to pursue the 
 study, they can learn from this volume where to seek for 
 the fullest information relative to any given period of Irish 
 history. At the outset of each chapter, Father O'Hanlon 
 gives a list of the authorities which may be consulted in 
 reference to the events of which he writes; and such an 
 index is, of itself, a valuable directory to Irish students." — 
 Nation. 
 
 " It presents a continuous stream of narrative — unbroken 
 by those abrupt paragraphs which the teacher's queries and 
 the pupil's replies usually necessitate. With an humble 
 title this is an ambitious book." — Irish People. 
 
 " It gives a most clear, intelligible, and at the same time, 
 concise epitome of national events from the very earliest 
 period to the death of Ireland's illustrious Liberator, Daniel 
 O'Connell. This is a book peculiarly suited for junior 
 classes in our schools, because it is furnished with questions 
 to which corresponding answers are referable in each lesson. 
 Again, its plan makes it a most useful book for reference 
 even for the most advanced and ripe scholars, since at the 
 opening of each lesson we find a list of historical authorities 
 relating to the exact period of which it treats. The book 
 has been drawn up with much care and impartiality, while, 
 
 ( lo)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE TRESS. 
 
 at the same time, there is no want of sympathy with the 
 people whose story is so well related." — Lehisfer Inde- 
 pendent. 
 
 "Avoiding the mythical, eschewing the problematical, 
 and placing vividly in the foreground all that appeared to 
 him essential to the student and the antiquarian, the 
 philosopher and the lover of his country — he has elaborated 
 all the elements of a nation's history in the shape of an 
 elementary treatise — a manual clear to the simple under- 
 standing and comprehension of a child, as it is ancillary to 
 the higher knowledge required by those who aim at acquiring 
 a thorough acquaintance with the subject, and employing 
 the information gained for more elevated purposes. It is, 
 indeed, astounding to find so much that cannot be dispensed 
 with comprised within so small a space." — Carloiv Post. 
 
 *' A book which should be in the hands of every Irish 
 schoolboy." — Dublin Saturday Masrazine. 
 
 "Welcoming the appearance of this excellent book — 
 excellent for the work of author, printer, and publisher 
 alike — we beg very cordially to recommend it to the public." 
 Dublin Evenino Post. 
 
 7. Catechism of Greek Grammar. 
 
 John Mullany, i Parliament Street, Dublin. 
 1865. i8mo. 
 
 Price 07ie Shilling. 
 
 " This judicious and compendious little Grammar of the 
 Greek language takes the catechetical form, as being one 
 best suited to lead the tyro into the mysteries of its philolo- 
 gical constitution and its peculiarities of construction. The 
 science of grammatical analysis, in a language so difficult 
 of masterly attainment, is greatly simplified by this succinct 
 and clear treatise. But, while it is mainly intended to aid 
 junior students in a facile acquisition of the Greek declen- 
 sions, conjugations, syntax and prosody, it will be found 
 sufficiently comprehensive, as a manual, for more advanced 
 scholars." — Ttcam Nezvs. 
 
 " This grammar is the neatest and cheapest we have yet 
 seen, and comprised within a limited number of pages, its 
 rules and examples are thoroughly complete. The publica- 
 
 ( II )
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 tion will be of great utility and advantage to the teacher in 
 facilitating his pupil's progress. The clear and most accurate 
 typography reflects great credit on the united care and 
 capability both of author and publisher. This little work 
 is critically and elaborately compiled. The introduction, 
 or preface, gives a learned and an instructive historical 
 account of the Greek language and writers. The work 
 may well be recommended to the attention of teachers and 
 pupils." — Drogheda A7-gus. 
 
 "The Catechism of Greek Grammar is elegantly bound 
 and correctly printed ; special attention having been be- 
 stowed on the proof-sheets to insure accuracy of typography 
 and the correct placing of the accents. The rules are plain 
 and practical throughout, and the examples are familiar 
 and easy of translation. Its pages seem to contain every 
 instruction necessary for making the student acquainted 
 with the Greek language. It can safely be recommended 
 for the use of colleges and classical schools, being an 
 improvement in many respects on grammars once in vogue. 
 The rules and exceptions are put in a shape easy to be 
 remembered. The notes on the margin are explanatory of 
 the text in the body of the book, and therefore they help 
 rather than encumber the teacher's and the scholar's 
 memory. " — Leinster Independent. 
 
 8. Devotions for Confession and Holy Com- 
 munion. 
 
 Thomas Richardson & Son, London, Dublin, and Derby. 
 1866. iSmo. 
 
 Price T-iUO Shillings. 
 
 "The title of this devotional work is very unpretending, 
 and by no means conveys a just idea of its valuable contents. 
 It appears, by its modest title, to be but an ordinary book 
 of prayer; but, on carefully examining and reading its 
 pages, it will be found to combine many advantages not to 
 be met with in books hitherto published on the same 
 subjects. It contains a great number of most beautiful and 
 soul-moving prayers, extracted from the writings of the 
 Holy Fathers. In the examination for confession, the 
 reverend author enters minutely into the duties of people 
 (12)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 of all classes and professions in life." — Westminster 
 Gazette. 
 
 " This is a most excellent work, indeed the best we 
 recollect to have ever seen on the two sacraments on which 
 it treats. It is entirely devoted to Confession and Holy 
 Communion. It should be in the hands of every Catholic, 
 for no one can read it seriously and think lightly of 
 confession and communion. It shows the absolute necessity 
 of approaching these two great sacraments, if men want 
 help on the way to eternity, and deserve the bliss of the 
 saints in the next world." — Dundalk Democrat. 
 
 *' The instructions are most excellent, and suitable to 
 every age and condition of life ; the devotions themselves 
 are all that could be wished for, and the pious acts which 
 follow the communion have been distributed in sections, so 
 as to serve as time or opportunity may allow for select 
 devotional reading or meditation, either before or after 
 confession or communion. For spiritual retreats, times of 
 special missions, as well as on ordinary occasions of 
 approaching the sacraments, this volume is invaluable." — 
 Weekly Register. 
 
 "In all Catholic prayer-books some pages are devoted to 
 instructions and devotions suitable for the faithful who are 
 preparing for the great Sacraments of Penance and the Eu- 
 charist ; but when we consider the immense importance of 
 those sacraments, and the incalculable interests involved in 
 their worthy reception, it becomes at once evident that the 
 subject, if it is to be fully and appropriately treated, requires 
 a volume to itself. Such a volume is that which we have 
 just received from the pen of the Rev. John O'Hanlon, 
 whose works in various departments of Catholic and national 
 literature are held in deservedly high estimation by the 
 public. The reverend author, in his work, goes carefully 
 through the whole process of ministering to a soul diseased ; 
 he supplies a series of reflections and meditations well 
 calculated to excite in the mind of a sinner a sense of his 
 misfortune and of his danger, and to awaken within him the 
 desire of a speedy reconciliation with God. By means of 
 prayer and meditation and all suitable devotions, he leads 
 on the soul until he brings it cleansed and purified to the 
 Holy Sacrament of the Altar ; and then there are thanks- 
 givings and prayers, instructions and good counsels, and 
 devout exercises, intended to assist in preserving the soul 
 
 (13)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 in a state of grace. The volume appears to us to be in 
 every respect admirable, and we feel sure that, as an aid to 
 Catholic piety, it will be largely availed of by the faithful." 
 — Nation. 
 
 "The book is divided into two parts, the first of which 
 contains General Instructions regarding the Sacrament of 
 Penance ; Instructions regarding the principles of our 
 Moral Actions and their practical application to ourselves ; 
 the obligations of Different States of Life ; Prayers before 
 and after Confession and Absolution ; Regulations for a 
 Christian Life, etc. ; and Part II. contains Devotions for 
 Holy Communion, with all necessary instructions; Explana- 
 tion of the Liturgy; Ceremonies and Objects seen at Mass; 
 Acts before and after Communion; Prayers to the Blessed 
 Virgin and all the Saints ; a most instructive lesson on the 
 Holy Viaticum and Extreme Unction ; and all through, 
 the prayers are arranged with suitable instructions in refer- 
 ence to the immediate subjects. The book — which is 
 embellished with a beautiful frontispiece, and got out in a 
 style worthy of the eminent publishers — should add another 
 wreath to the chaplet so well earned by the Rev. John 
 O'Hanlon." — Sligo Champion. 
 
 " This admirable work is designed, as we learn from the 
 preface, to provide persons who are desirous of approaching 
 the two great sacraments, which Catholics most generally 
 receive, with a complete manual of instruction and prayer 
 adapted to general and particular requirements. This 
 object is well carried out in the work before us. Whatever 
 station of life the reader belongs to, whatever may be the 
 nature of his avocations, he will find something peculiarly 
 applicable to his circumstances in these pages. The 
 instructions given are clear and precise, and the devotional 
 exercises are pervaded by a spirit of deep and fervent piety. 
 We trust this publication will obtain a wide circulation." — 
 Weekly News. 
 
 (14)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 9. The Life and Works of St. Aengussius Hagio- 
 graphus, or St. -ffingus the Culdee, 
 
 Bishop and Abbot at Clonenagh and Dysartenos, 
 Queen's County. 
 
 John F. Fowler, 3 Crow Street, Dame Street, Dublin. 
 1868. 8vo. Wrapper, lettered. 
 
 Price One Shilling. 
 
 ** None of the Irish Saints deserve more lasting gratitude 
 and veneration from the students of Irish ecclesiastical 
 history than St. ^ngus the Culdee. Here, within a few 
 pages, have we an interesting account of his Life and various 
 writings, in prose and verse, from one of the most accom- 
 plished Archaeologists of the day. The Rev. Mr. O'Hanlon 
 has entitled himself to the thanks and gratitude of every 
 lover of Irish history by the production of this learned and 
 interesting work." — Wexford Independent. 
 
 *' The writings of St. .JEngus are among the most impor- 
 tant contributions to early Irish ecclesiastical literature. 
 Were they lost, much of it would be a perfect blank. The 
 life of this early writer must therefore have an interest, in a 
 special manner, for Irish ecclesiologists. With the Life we 
 have here a review and analysis of these ancient historic 
 treatises." — Armagh Guardian. 
 
 "In the labour that the collection of necessary facts 
 entailed upon Father O'Hanlon, we can estimate his devo- 
 tion to the cause of Irish literature. * * * * To rescue 
 from the cold shades of oblivion the fame of ^ngus, was a 
 task worthy of the piety and scholarship of Father O'Hanlon." 
 — Quebec Irish Sentinel. 
 
 " The amiable author tells us that it was originally written 
 by him in the shape of a lecture, which he was asked to 
 deliver for the benefit of a charitable institution in the 
 parish in which he ministers. We in Ireland know what 
 the life of a missionary priest must of necessity be, and how 
 scant and how scattered are the intervals that a clergyman, 
 who devotes himself so assiduously and so untiringly to all 
 his duties as Father O'Hanlon does, can dedicate to literary 
 pursuits. * * * * The career of the saint is very 
 strikingly told, and the narrative is interspersed with many 
 
 (15)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 curious morsels of interesting lore. The portion of Father 
 O'Hanlon's essay that treats of the writings of St. y^ngus is 
 peculiarly valuable, and displays great critical acumen, and 
 no inconsiderable research. The style, from beginning to 
 end, is clear, vigorous, simple, and well sustained, and 
 admirably appropriate to the subject the Reverend author 
 proposes to himself to treat." — Freefjiau's Journal. 
 
 " Father O'Hanlon has devoted many years of his useful 
 life to the Hagiology of Ireland. His 'Life of St. Laurence 
 O'Toole, Archbishop of Dublin ;' 'St. Malachy O'Morgair, 
 Archbishop of Armagh,' the friend of the great St. Bernard, 
 and 'St. Dympna, Virgin,' are, we hope, known to many of 
 our readers. ' The Life of St. ^Engus, the Culdee,' will be 
 hailed with satisfaction by all lovers of Ireland and her 
 saints." — The New York Tablet. 
 
 "The Life of this holy and learned Irishman reflects great 
 credit alike on the research and the talent of the Rev. 
 gentleman who has undertaken the task — by no means an 
 easy one, when we consider the difficulties which attend the 
 study of Irish Hagiology. We cordially recommend the 
 publication to every educated Irishman, as well as to all for 
 whom the records of the past have any interest — and, lastly, 
 to all who love to read of the Saints who have, from time 
 to time, illumined the Church." — The Weekly Register. 
 
 " In Irish Archaeological and Hagiologic lore. Father 
 O'Hanlon is not only profoundly read, but, in his handling 
 of the subjects which he takes up, clearness, and a certain 
 degree of freshening vivacity, are conspicuous — features 
 rarely found in productions confined to records of events 
 that have occurred in the remote periods of history. * * 
 * * This valuable contribution to Irish Hagiology will 
 possess additional interest to the generality of our readers, 
 inasmuch as the saint appears to have lived near the cele- 
 brated Rock of Dunamase, a few miles from Maryborough, 
 and in the monastery of Clonenagh. But, irrespective of 
 all local interest, the general Catholic reader will delight 
 in tracing the life and the sketch of the works of a native 
 Saint, whose rare excellencies of head and heart are thus 
 described by his admiring biographer." — The Carloiv Post. 
 
 " We have already exceeded our limits in our notice of 
 
 Father O'Hanlon's admirable book. * * * * /[{ngus 
 
 has been left nearly l,ioo years in manuscript. This is a 
 
 disgrace to a Celtic and a Catholic country. We trust that 
 
 (i6)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 Father O'Hanlon, who has done so much for Irish sacred 
 history in his ' Life of St. Malachy,' * Life of St. Laurence 
 O'Toole,' and the present interesting publication, will, by 
 rescuing the Celtic martyrologist from the obscurity of 
 manuscript, for ever link his name as a Ilagiologist with 
 the Wards and the Colgans. The critical acumen and deep 
 research displayed in the present little work prove how 
 well he is fitted for the task of disentombing such long- 
 neglected treasures in aid of the regeneration and progress 
 of historic investigation." — The Ulster Examiner, 
 
 " Father O'Hanlon has dedicated this little work to the 
 Very Rev. ]\Ionseignor Moran, D.D., Professor of Irish 
 History in the Catholic University. The work itself relates 
 the history of one of Ireland's Saints, St. ^^ngus. * * 
 * * He was also a writer of considerable ability. But 
 for an account of his labours, we must refer the reader to 
 the work itself, which is creditably printed." — The Dimdalk 
 Democrat. 
 
 " The history of an Irishman living some ten centuries 
 ago, whose sanctity of life and whose deep erudition acquired 
 for him an extensive reputation, is most susceptible of 
 embellishm.ent in the course of time ; and that, as our 
 author shows, it should be occasionally clogged by fictions 
 and romances, arising from a succession of exaggerated 
 accounts, is no more than is to be expected. In order to 
 discriminate between the simple truth and the more brilliant 
 versions of particular facts, it is requisite that the biographer 
 should be strong-minded enough to reject the beautiful for 
 the rude and truthful. This Father O'Hanlon has succeeded 
 in doing, with all due moderation ; and certain astonishing 
 incidents are quietly toned down by brief and judicious 
 remarks." — The Westminster Gazette. 
 
 " M. O'Hanlon avait originairement public dans F Irish 
 Ecclesiastical Record, cette biographie de Saint .Engus ; 
 apres quelques retouches il a presente aujourd'hui sous 
 forme de brochure. II a dans ce travail mis a profit les 
 meilleures sources, et il en montre une parfaite connaissance 
 dans des notes nombreuses et instructives." — Revue Critique 
 d'Histoire et de Litteratia-e. 
 
 "The particulars known regarding the life of an Irish 
 Saint, who died more than one thousand years ago, must 
 be necessarily brief, still the Reverend author of this inter- 
 esting little work has woven a very readable narrative out 
 
 (17) b
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 of the available materials, and shows the industry which 
 must have been expended upon the task. * * * * 
 We understand the author is about to publish the Lives of 
 the Irish Saints, amongst whom our King and Bishop of 
 Cashel, St. Cormac McCullinan, is counted as one. From 
 the specimen before us, we believe the onerous task could 
 not be in better hands." — Cashel Gazette. 
 ■ " Mr. O'Hanlon's 'Life of St. .Engus' is full of erudition, 
 which is pleasingly varied by touches of nature in his 
 description of the lovely scenery with which the country 
 abounds. The pedigree and early life of the saint, his 
 studies and austerities, his visions and their purpose, his 
 humility in forsaking the life of a choir monk for that of 
 lay brother, his miracles, his literary labours, his life at 
 Tallaght, and the complete list of his works, are given with 
 a fidelity devoid of dryness, and most inviting to the 
 reader." — The Carloiu College Magazine. 
 
 •' La savante etude que vient de faire paraitre sous ce 
 titre M. O'Hanlon presente, il divers titres, un veritable 
 int^ret. A la vie de St. /Engus I'hagiographe se rattachent 
 en effet plusieurs questions importantes pour I'histoire 
 ecclesiastique et surtout pour I'histoire litteraire de I'ancienne 
 Irlande. L'auteur s'est attache a (5claircir ces questions 
 sans se flatter pourtant d'avoir fait sur ce point un travail 
 d^finitif, qui n'est pas encore possible dans I'etat actuel de 
 la science hagiographique irlandaise. II reconte tout ce 
 que Ton pent savoir jusqu'ici de la' vie de son heros, depuis 
 sa naissance, vers le milieu du viii^ siecle, jusqu';\ sa mort, 
 dont la date la plus probable parait etre 1' ann(.'e 824. II 
 donne surtout des details sur le sejour de St. .Engus dans 
 une solitude du Queen's County, appel(5e depuis Dysartenos, 
 (Desej'tum O'Aengvsn), ensuite a I'abbaye de Tallagh et 
 plus tard au Monastere de Clonenagh, dont il devint abbe. 
 Les ocuvres de Saint /Engus sont particulicrement I'objet 
 de I'examen de M. O'Hanlon, qui analyse successivement 
 son Felirc ou eloges des Saints pour chaque jour de I'ann^e; 
 le Martyrologe de Tallas^h, (public en 1857 par le Dr. 
 Kelly), dont la premiere partie a ete composee, dit-on, 
 d'apres des ouvrages, aujourd'hui perdus, d'Eusebe et de 
 Saint Jerome ; le trait(3 Latin, De Satictis Hibernur ; un 
 recueil de po^mes irlandais sur les rc'cits de I'ancien Testa- 
 ment, recueil connu sous le titre, commun j\ plusiers autres 
 ouvrages, de Saltair na rann ; et en fin des fragments de 
 { 18)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 genealogies des Saints iriandais, qui lui sont generalment 
 attribu^s. Nous ne pouvons que nous associer au voeu 
 qu'exprime M. O'Hanlon de voir mettre au jour par une 
 main competente une edition critique des ceuvres inedites, 
 ou imparfaitement publi^es jusqu'ici, de Saint ^ngus." — 
 Journal des Savants. 
 
 "This tract contains notices of the historical works 
 regarding early Irish Christianity, as written by a dis- 
 tinguished ecclesiastic of the ninth century." — Wexford 
 People. 
 
 "The Life of St. .Engus, though on a small scale as 
 compared with the work on St. Laurence O'Toole, is 
 nevertheless most interesting and attractive as a biographical 
 memoir. In it the author collates and arranges, with great 
 care, all the facts which can be arrived at concerning the 
 life and labours of this holy man. * * * * Scarcely 
 less attractive than the body of the memoir itself are the 
 copious notes which the author appends, and which he has 
 culled with great industry and research from the most 
 distinguished authorities on matters of antiquarian interest. 
 The work is written in a plain, unpretentious, and intelli- 
 gible style, and is ucterly free from that pedantry which 
 affects an unnecessary display of erudition. It is published 
 at a very moderate charge, and from those interested in 
 matters which can throw light on our early ecclesiastical 
 history, will claim an attentive and earnest perusal." — The 
 Nation. 
 
 " Mr. O'Hanlon is an estimable clergyman of the Roman 
 Catholic Church, and the publication before us worthily 
 sustains the reputation which he has already secured as a 
 learned and zealous worker in the important field of Irish 
 Hagiology. The biography of this monk, who flourished 
 in the eighth and ninth centuries, and who was as highly 
 distinguished for his literary attainments as for his religious 
 zeal, will be read with the deepest interest. It is written 
 in a most agreeable style, abounds in racy incidents, and 
 furnishes various lively illustrations of the habits and usages 
 of early monasticism. The brochure throughout affords 
 ample evidence of Mr. O'Hanlon's research and learning, 
 and is fitted to stimulate the reader with an admiration for 
 the piety, patriotism, and ability of the old Celtic race." — 
 Downpatrick Recorder. 
 
 ( 19)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 10. The Life of St. David, 
 
 Archbishop of Menevia, Chief Patron of Wales, and 
 Titular Patron of Naas Church and Parish in 
 Irehuid. 
 
 John Mullany, i ParHament Street, Dublin. 
 1869. i2mo. Cloth, gilt. 
 
 Price Two Shillings and Sixpence. 
 
 " Then does the writer, who so finely appreciates his 
 task, proceed to the more learned and laborious portion of 
 his work, which is divided into fourteen chapters. These 
 are all replete with varied research. The early ecclesiastical 
 history of Wales is fully revealed, in connection with the 
 Life of St. David. His influence on its progress is recorded 
 in text and notes. The birth, education, ordination, 
 ministry, and episcopacy of holy David are clearly and 
 orderly related to the date of his glorious death, at a very 
 advanced age. This beautiful little work, the latest hagio- 
 graphical production of its author, admirably illustrates his 
 wonderful industry and talents for writing the Lives of our 
 Irish Saints, with whom St. David holds a very close 
 relationship now, as he was the master and companion of 
 many among them in the olden time, when he flourished." 
 — Co7-/: Examiner. 
 
 " Father O'Hanlon's rare reputation as a well-read 
 historian and an accurate and earnest Hagiologist is here 
 indeed most amply sustained. We find the same scholarly 
 culture of style to which Father O'Hanlon's readers are 
 well accustomed, and we do not miss the same expenditure 
 of studious care which give all his books peculiar value. 
 The present biography can be fairly credited with the 
 special merit of Ijeing suited to all sorts of readers. For 
 the general public it contains a well condensed and skilful 
 biography of the Saint, embracing the main facts of his 
 ancestry, his education, his works and miracles in the sacred 
 ministry, his relations with various holy Irishmen, and his 
 solcnm appointment by the Synod of Brevi to the Arch- 
 bisho[)ric of Britain. The l)iography is supplemented by 
 an account of the miracles attributed, after his death, to 
 St. David's merits and advocacy, with a collection of inter- 
 (20)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 esting frxts regarding the Diocese of St. David's; a copious 
 historical and topographical notice of Naas and its vicinity; 
 and a full description, with exceedingly good illustrations, 
 of the Catholic Church at Naas. These will thoroughly 
 satisfy the general reader, and, for the rest, the most perse- 
 vering student, ecclesiastical or secular, will find ample 
 guidance in the notes and references, which so strikingly 
 attest the great extent of the learned author's researches." 
 — The Nation. 
 
 "The events of his life are clearly and consecutively 
 related, as far as they are known, in the work before us, 
 and the historic authorities are quoted which m.ake such a 
 study valuable to antiquarians. Nor, as in the lives of so 
 many Saints, do miraculous incidents hold a very prominent 
 place. We are more attracted by the contemporaneous 
 events of Church history, and the records of churches, 
 founded in the early times of Christianity, in Wales. The 
 ecclesiologist and the archjeologist will alike find something 
 to interest and instruct, while perusing this brief, and yet 
 very exhaustive memoir. The learned author has written 
 it with care and good judgment." — Kilkenny Moderator. 
 
 " This biography of St. David, from the pen of the Rev. 
 Mr. O'Hanlon, embraces all the chief events known re- 
 garding him. It is nicely printed on toned paper, appro- 
 priately illustrated with wood engravings of Naas Church, 
 and elegantly bound in cloth." — Evening Telegraph. 
 
 " Father O'Hanlon is, indeed, doing a noble work. * * 
 * * The opening sentences give a fair conception of the 
 tone of thought, and character of style, which herald the 
 biography of this illustrious saint." — Quebec Irish Sentinel. 
 
 " He has retold the History of the Church of Wales — 
 too long neglected by those who ought to feel most 
 concerned for its honour — with rare clearness, and a rarer 
 fidelity to proven facts. The work is beautifully illustrated, 
 and the notes with which it is enriched would, of themselves, 
 be no mean monument to the Rev. author's ability and 
 industry." — Weekly Ne7vs. 
 
 " The Life of St. David has much to do with the study 
 of early Welsh Ecclesiastical History. It appears the 
 Anglo-Norman invaders introduced his cultus into Ireland. 
 Here is a brief record of those acts attributed to him. with 
 a very complete Life, taken from early documents. The 
 printing is very well executed, and the engravings of Naas 
 
 (21)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 Church are very creditable to Mr. Hanlon, of College 
 Green, Dublin." — Londonderry Journal. 
 
 " This is a little work that must have a special interest 
 for all Churchmen, as the subject of it, St. David, is first 
 said to have established Christianity in Wales. Not only 
 there, on St. David's Day, do Welshmen wear the leek to 
 honour their Patron, but it will be seen that the same usage 
 prevailed in Naas until the close of the last century." — 
 Irz's/i Times. 
 
 "This neatly produced volume has reference to a very 
 distinguished Saint of the Church. It appears he is 
 regarded as the Patron of Naas parish, and the work is 
 dedicated to the Very Rev. Dean Hughes, its pastor. We 
 glean therefrom that the much respected P.P. enlisted the 
 author's willing services to prepare the book, which is 
 published at his expense. This is an example worthy the 
 imitation of other Irish priests, to make the Patrons of our 
 country better known. The little work is illustrated with 
 elegant engravings of Naas Church, while a compendious 
 history of that town and vicinity makes this biography 
 interesting for historians, topographers, and antiquarians." 
 — Limerick Reporter and Tipperajy Vindicator. 
 
 "Several lives, such as those by Giraldus Cambrensis 
 and Wharton, have been written, and a short one will be 
 found in Alban Butler, at the 1st of March ; but a fitting 
 biography of the destroyer of British Pelagianism was still 
 to be desired. The master of so many of our own great 
 Saints has special claims on the affections and interest of 
 all Irish Catholics, and in the present work their wishes 
 will be completely gratified, as it presents to them all that 
 can be now brought to light." — Northern Star. 
 
 "The Life of this eminent Saint is brief, but it contains 
 the chief historic incidents known regarding early Christi- 
 anity in Wales. St. David taught many of the old Irish 
 Saints, and hence he was venerated in Ireland, where, after 
 the Anglo-Norman invasion, a church was founded to his 
 honour at Naas." — Saunders's News-Letter. 
 
 " In the different chapters, the notes are vouchers for the 
 statements to which they refer. The book is elegantly 
 bound and printed. We regret being obliged, from exigen- 
 cies of time and space, to restrict ourselves to-day to this 
 very brief notice of this the latest of the valuable contribu- 
 tions to our hagiographical literature, from the pen of the 
 
 (22)
 
 OriMONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 erudite and accomplished Father O'llanlon."' — Drogheda 
 Argtts. 
 
 " In following the footsteps of our Rev. biographer, from 
 David's birth to the close of his intensely active life, we feel 
 we are in company with a painstaking and sure guide. We 
 are bound to acknowledge that he has consulted the best 
 authorities, carefully investigated the obscure and doubtful 
 points connected with the Saint's history, and altogether 
 proved himself throughout a conscientious biographer. The 
 foot-notes will prove of great service to the ecclesiastical 
 student, as they contain a fund of really valuable information 
 relating to points of early Church History." — Freonans 
 Joitrnal. 
 
 " Father O'Hanlon is one of our quiet workers. He is 
 saying nothing to attract public notice, but he is always 
 engaged in labour of a literary kind. He has published 
 Lives of St. Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh, and friend of 
 St. Bernard ; of St. Laurence O'Toole, of St. Dympna, 
 Virgin and Martyr. He hds contributed largely to several 
 periodicals — amongst others to the Ecclesiastical Record. 
 His pen has produced several works — a Guide for Emigrants, 
 a History of Ireland, works on language, a Greek Grammar. 
 His ' Life of St. David ' is not for the general public. The 
 first edition is bespoken — nay, purchased — by the Catholics 
 of Naas, and of the parish of which the Rev. Dean Hughes, 
 author of the work on ' Ceremonies of Holy Mass,' is 
 pastor. The illustrations are artistic — some of them beauti- 
 ful. The taste and finish of the written work merit words 
 of unqualified praise." — Titafii News. 
 
 " How a Welsh Saint should come to be the Patron of 
 an Irish Church — the only one in the country dedicated to 
 St. David is that at Naas — together with a biography of the 
 Saint himself, and a learned disquisition on the Archaeology 
 and Ecclesiastical History of the locality, will be found 
 most ably explained by Father O'Hanlon, on whom may 
 fittingly be bestowed the title of the Irish Bollandist." — 
 TJie Carloiu College Magazine. 
 
 (23)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 11. Legend Lays of Ireland, by Lageniensis. 
 
 John Mullany, i Parliament Street, Dublin. 
 1870. i2mo. 
 
 Price One Shilling. 
 
 " Not very long since we noticed with much gratification 
 a volume on Irish Fairy Lore, by * Lageniensis' — a noni de 
 plu/ne which does not hide from many the real name of the 
 gifted author, but whose incognito— since it is his pleasure 
 to assume it — we feel bound here to respect. The present 
 work is one of a not very dissimilar character from its 
 predecessor, with this important difference, however, that 
 the myths and traditions which are embodied in it, are 
 conveyed to the reader in verse, whilst the former was in 
 prose. In either, the author has been equally successful, 
 and we have now before us as interesting a contribution to 
 our national literature. The third legend in the book, 
 though a brief one, is peculiarly interesting in this locality. 
 We take the liberty of transferring it to our columns here, 
 with the notes, as they stand in the work." — The Kilkenny 
 Moderalor. 
 
 " La grace de la versification et le charme des descriptions 
 pittoresques des paysages de ITrlande ne sont pas le seul 
 merite des Legend Lays. Les notes etendues qui accom- 
 pagnent chaque pitice de vers renferment des details 
 instructifs sur les moeurs, les superstitions et anciennes 
 croyances du pays ; et I'introduction signale les emprunts, 
 jusqu'a ces derniers temps trop rares, faits par la litterature 
 anglo-irlandaise au tresordespot^tiques traditionsnationales." 
 — Journal des Savants. 
 
 "This little book introduces to our notice a new Poet — 
 as we are happy to designate him — an Irish Poet, who is 
 not ashamed to choose Irish subjects upon which to exercise 
 his pen. As an introduction to the work, there is a well 
 written essay upon the poets of the present day, and their 
 works. The book is neatly printed, nicely illustrated, and 
 well worthy the perusal of those who admire good poetry. 
 As a specimen, we reproduce a legend belonging to our 
 neighbourhood, which will carry its own recommendation." 
 Cashel Gazette. 
 
 ** A nicely got up, well ])rinted work with a preface, and 
 
 (24)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRES^ 
 
 numerous notes, giving a fund of information respecting the 
 poets and poetry of the sister isle. The low price at which 
 the book is sold, places it within the reach of all who wish 
 to listen to the lays sung by our author, and founded on 
 the fairy tales that have floated down to the present days 
 from the times of old." — Greenwich <sr Deptford Chronicle. 
 
 *'In this book are presented some two dozen familiar 
 fairy legends of the sister isle, dressed in a very becoming 
 and pleasing poetical garb. We feel tempted to make an 
 extract or two from this entertaining little work. * * * * 
 We can cordially recommend these ' Legend Lays' to the 
 lovers of the romantic traditions with which Ireland is 
 specially favoured." — Catholic Opinion. 
 
 "It specially behoves a Leinster journal to greet any 
 man calling himself ' Lageniensis,' but particularly so 
 genuine a son of the soil. But, in truth, there is no part of 
 Ireland in which the researches of our author will not come 
 home with familiar interest and application. The entire 
 realm of Fairyland is laid open by a wave of our Wizard's 
 wand, and every page we read only serves to allure us with 
 a more irresistible witching of fascination, deeper and 
 deeper into the enchanted cave, which the sparkling light 
 of his society and the torch of a Cicerone jointly illuminate. 
 It contains views and visions not only specially interesting 
 to young people, but to children of a larger growth also, 
 amongst whom we are not ashamed to class ourselves." — 
 The Leinster Independent. 
 
 " The Legend Lays of Ireland * * * * ^ careful 
 versified sel'ection of them." — Nation. 
 
 " There is true poetic purity and power in these, as in 
 the previous lays." — Daily Express. 
 
 " 'The Legend Lays of Ireland' are admirable specimens, 
 not only of the poet's art, but of the fruits of true inspiration 
 likewise."— 77/£? Catholic Telegraph. 
 
 "These poems, thoroughly rich and 'racy of the soil.' 
 are the first we have seen in a collected form, under the 
 above pseudonym ; but they emxanate, we are aware, from 
 one, who in other walks of literature is neither unknown or 
 unhonoured. The ' Legend of Donegal' and some half- 
 dozen others we remember to have seen exactly ten years 
 ago in the Dublin University Magazine, when it really 
 merited that title; but the bulk of the volume is sparklingly 
 new and refreshing. It is a healthy sign to see the 
 
 (25)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 incrt;asing growth of Irish national literature published in 
 Dublin, and free from any traces of a disposition to make it 
 instrumental in the propagandism of any peculiar view of 
 politics — the study of which, a thinker once said, is enough 
 to hie the soul out of a man. An exhaustive introduction 
 on the origin of popular superstitions, reminding one of the 
 best parts of Sir Walter Scott's ' Letters on demonology 
 and witchcraft,' inaugurates the sequel. This embraces 
 legends of Killarney. Ormond Castle, Cullenagh. Dunamase, 
 Holycross, Lough Gill, the coast of Clare, the Cove of 
 Cork, Lough Erne, Blarney Castle, and the Glen of Imaile, 
 disclosing to us privileged views of the silver-hoofed steed 
 of O'Donoghue ploughing the blue waters of Killarney ; 
 the fairy court of hidden caverns. Leprechauns, fairy hurlers, 
 the white goblin of St. JNIullins, vision of the Culdees at 
 Holycross, and weird banshees. It may indeed be said, 
 that this volume combines the substantial interest of Crofton 
 Croker's massive prose, with the pathos of Dermody's 
 muse, the fire of Drennan, and the simplicity of Furlong. 
 The volume is dedicated in five laudatory stanzas to William 
 John Fitzpatrick, the biographer of Bishop Doyle, Lord 
 Cloncurry, and Lady Morgan." — The Irish Times. 
 
 "The 'Legend Lays' will be hailed with delight in every 
 homestead where the works of Kennedy, Banim, Griffin, 
 Lever, Croker, Lover, and Carleton are prized. It affords 
 fresh proof, that the mine of fairy lore, so much loved in 
 this our land, contains many a yet unexhausted vein, to 
 allure and reward the fearless delver. It is a book to read 
 with pleasure, beneath the shade of a tree in summer, by 
 the noon-tide lounger in the field, and beside the winter 
 hearth, when the young and joyous, tired of the dull mono- 
 tony of a dreary day, clamour for tales of the wild, the 
 bright, or the wonderful." — The Drogheda Argt<s. 
 
 ( 25
 
 OPINIONS OF IHE PRESS. 
 
 12. Irish Folk Lore: 
 
 Traditions and Superstitions of the Countiy : with 
 Humorous Tales, by Lageniensi^. 
 
 Cameron and Ferguson. 88 West Nile Street, Glasgow. 
 1870, Crown 8vo. 
 
 Price Ttvo Shillings. 
 
 '^ Nor has Lageniensis confined himself to gleaning from 
 rare books, inaccessible to all but a few who have time to 
 spend in large libraries ; on the contrary, he has contrived 
 to gather from our ancient manuscripts, preserved in the 
 Royal Irish Academy and elsewhere, historical episodes, 
 tales, and legends which will be perused with satisfaction 
 all the more delightful because heretofore utterly unknown 
 to the people. * * * * ^.\n amount of edifying in- 
 struction and entertainment far surpassing anything of the 
 sort we have ever before seen will be found in these admir- 
 able pages. * * * * Every page of this excellent 
 work teems with information of the most pleasing character, 
 and many of the stories convey a moral lesson which will 
 be found valuable in the every-day business of life. It has 
 been wisely remarked that as long as one is able to read he 
 cannot be entirely unhappy, nor do we hesitate to afhrm 
 that the perusal of the work before us will not only amuse 
 the lover of his country, but intensify that holy sentiment." 
 — The Nation. (First Notice.) 
 
 " This is one of the most readable and most attractive 
 volumes of its class which we recollect to have ever perused. 
 It also embraces a far more comprehensive range of subjects 
 than any similar work with which we are acquainted, since 
 it deals not only with existing legends, traditions and 
 popular superstitions, but embraces a vast amount of anti- 
 quarian and historical information connected with all 
 periods of our national annals, while endlessly diversified 
 with amusing tales and stories drawn from all parts of 
 Ireland, North and South equally. The author displays 
 extensive reading, refined taste, matured judgment, and his 
 descriptive sketches even of popular follies are usually 
 lessons of moral wisdom. He has evidently studied with 
 care the history and antiquities of Ireland at their native 
 
 (27)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 sources, and his notices of peasant customs as remnants of 
 original Paganism are often curious and instructive. His 
 interesting episode of Dungal, the learned Irish Recluse of 
 the ninth century, and his account of some Irish Astronomical 
 manuscripts, whose existence is scarcely known even in the 
 learned world, prove his fitness for higher researches than 
 those embodied in the highly-interesting miscellany before 
 us. " — Londonderry Standard. 
 
 "The author of the Old Folk Lore of Ireland writes 
 from the fulness of a genial heart, and a well stored head. 
 He is evidently an enthusiast about his theme, and labours 
 earnestly and lovingly to make his reader as interested as 
 himself. He has spared no pains to produce an interesting 
 volume, and we feel a hearty pleasure in congratulating 
 him on the successful result. His task was far from being 
 a light one. True it is, the materials existed in abundance, 
 but it was not always easy to reach them. INIany of the 
 oral traditions of ancient manners and customs lay buried 
 in some cottage in the bog, or on the hill-side, and it must 
 have been at the cost of much personal comfort, and at the 
 sacrifice of considerable time and patience, that * Lageni- 
 ensis' succeeded in rescuing them from obscurity. The 
 written materials for his work were scattered about in 
 unfrequented nooks and corners of solemn and peaceful 
 libraries, and we can reverentially admire, without the 
 smallest hope of having the courage ever to imitate, the 
 conscientious industry, the unflagging zeal, and the affec- 
 tionate devotion with which he pursued his interesting, but 
 fatiguing explorations. He has gathered together his varied 
 researches, and presents them to the world in the volume 
 whose title is prefixed to this notice of it." — Freeman^s 
 Journal. 
 
 " Independent of these legendary and mythological 
 subjects, there is contained in this volume very valuable 
 papers on more purely antic[uarian matters, such as the early 
 voyages and discoveries of Irishmen and others to remote 
 islands and lands in the chapter entitled ' Hy-Breasail, or 
 the Blessed Island;' and on the religion and ceremonial of 
 the Druids in a chapter devoted to tracing the mysteries of 
 that singular and mysterious belief. Tlicse chapters, as 
 also some others not exactly cognate, though bearing on 
 and illustrative of each other, and all illustrative of our 
 ancient peoples, exhibit the most extensive reading and 
 (28)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE TRESS. 
 
 research, patient industry, and scrupulous attention to 
 authorities, with, at the same time, a breadth of view which 
 comprehends within its limits every discordant element, 
 and brings it into one harmonious whole. We would 
 gladly make some extracts from this charming book, at 
 once so entertaining and instructive, but that we fear we 
 would be doing the author an injustice by rudely separating 
 from the context isolated passages, which would fail to 
 convey an adequate impression of its varied and valuable 
 contents. Every admirer of Irish fiction, humour, pathos, 
 and folk-lore, who wishes to understand the people through 
 the medium of their own traditions, as told and recorded 
 by themselves, should possess himself of a copy. He will 
 there find the stories and legends of the past, as told at the 
 pattern and by the fireside, and all breathing the wild 
 simplicity and genuine flavour of the Irish mind." — Northern 
 Star. 
 
 "Still, a writer versed in Celtic literature, and acquainted 
 with the habits and customs of the peasantry of the genera- 
 tion which is now passing away, can yet, as the author of 
 the present volume shows, present the generic peculiarities, 
 the broad, general features of Irish folk-lore. 'Lageniensis' 
 is certainly well qualified for the task he has undertaken. 
 He unites to a wide and deep knowledge of Irish literature 
 and Irish history an intimate acquaintance with peasant 
 life, especially as it exists in the midland and eastern 
 counties of Ireland. His enthusiasm carries him into nooks 
 and corners of Irish literature and history which have never, 
 or rarely, been visited by antiquarians before ; while his 
 power of felicitous expression enables him to throw around 
 the old stories of the people a charm which, it may be said 
 without any disparagement to previous labourers in the 
 same field, is calculated to win for this branch of study 
 more attention than it has as yet been deemed worthy of 
 receiving." — The Nation. (Second Notice.) 
 
 "There is no book in any language that we know like 
 this charming volume. It is perfectly stu generis, unique^ 
 and original, and yet it treats of themes which are familiar 
 to all Celtic ears from childhood upwards, but which none 
 of us have ever before seen selected with such felicitous 
 taste, or combined in such charming variety. Traditions, 
 superstitions, humorous and pathetic tales, ancient Celtic 
 idolatries, romances of history, local memorials, popular 
 
 (29)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 notions, sprite frolics and peculiarities — these are some of 
 the miscellaneous contents of a book which no Irishman 
 should be without, and no reading man should be ignorant 
 of, if he would be well posted on the multifarious and 
 highly amusing and interesting subjects to which this 
 welcome volume relates." — Limerick Reporter and Tip- 
 perary Vindicator. 
 
 " Of the illustrative tales and legends which accompany 
 these subjects, they are told with infinite humour and 
 graphic effect, and altogether, we have here an Irish work 
 which promises to be held throughout time in high esteem, 
 not alone amongst Irishmen, but wherever the genuine 
 taste for fairy lore and Celtic idiosyncrasies exist." — Kil- 
 kenny Moderator. 
 
 " Two Tales, 'The Fomorian Warrior, Balor of the Evil 
 Eye,' and ' Mr. Patrick O'Byrne in the Devil's Glen.' The 
 former is an interesting legend of Old Ireland — the latter is 
 a humorous sketch of Irish character. * * * * Both 
 are well told. The description especially of Mr. O'Byrne's 
 conversation with the Echo, or ' The Voice of the Rock,' 
 is very ingenious and amusing. The rest of the volume is 
 chiefly devoted to brief chapters on Irish superstitions and 
 customs."— iV^r/// British Daily Mail. 
 
 " 'The Wizard Earl of Kildare' is a bold sketch well 
 thrown off, and ' Dungal the Recluse' is a very useful and 
 creditable paper; whilst 'Mr. Patrick O'Byrne in the 
 Devil's Glen' is worth the whole volume ten times told." — 
 The IrisJinian. 
 
 "Besides these graceful or amusing superstitions, there 
 is the melancholy though poetic faith in the banshee, and 
 the belief in the fetch or doppel-ganger which seems 
 common to all countries. Then we find a universal trust 
 in the tradition of Ily-Breasail, or the Blessed Island, 
 Thierna-Oge, the land of the youthful and happy. * * * 
 ' Lageniensis' speaks of the merrow-maiden and the mer- 
 row-man, corresponding to the English superstition of the 
 mermaid. On the south coast of Ireland the mermaid is to 
 the present hour fully believed in, and the writer of this 
 article has frequently while sea fishing listened to detailed 
 narratives of her appearance. * * * * The national 
 schools have seriously encroached upon the haunts of the 
 fairies, have dispelled the sheeted banshee, and silenced the 
 chant of the cluricaun and the tap of his tiny hammer, as 
 (30)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 he cobbled at his shoe-leather. The hills are no longer 
 hollow, burrowed with diamond-lit caves, the earth holds 
 no crocks of gold, and no sunset reveals a happy island on 
 the far dim verge of the sea. These things are no longer 
 the simple and common properties of the people, they are 
 almost unknown to the up-springing generation. * * * * 
 The fairies are as dead as great Pan is in Greece, and the 
 tribute that ' Lageniensis' pays to their memory is probably 
 the last that we shall have of them in print." — The Pall 
 Mall Gazette. 
 
 " Much that is historically interesting is being altered, 
 and the old-world stories are rapidly becoming forgotten. 
 Yet there is hardly one of them in which there does not 
 lurk something worthy of immortality — something to which 
 the antiquarian of the future will not be able to point as an 
 illustration, or the historian refer as a landmark, actually 
 fixing the date of some event or action, stretching far back 
 into the past. For which reason the labours of ' Lageniensis "' 
 in collecting his /rzsA Folk Lo7'e : Traditions and Sitpei-- 
 stitions of the Coztntiy (Glasgow : Cameron and Ferguson. 
 1870,) are beyond all praise." — TJie Carlow College Maga- 
 zine. 
 
 " We must refer the lovers of old floating stories — or bits 
 of stories, for they are often no more — about Banshees, 
 sprites, ghosts, fairies, wizards, and the like, to the volume 
 itself. One of the most interesting traditions prevalent of 
 old in Ireland was that which related to an unknown and a 
 most beautiful island far to the west, which went by the 
 name of Hy-Breasail, the Blessed Island. The belief con- 
 cerning it was probably a shadow of some early knowledge 
 of America. A chapter in the present work (chap, xv.) 
 collects the traditions on this subject." — The Month. 
 
 " The reader will find both amusement and instruction 
 in the pages of the book now under review. The author 
 has happily blended the facts which his industrious research 
 has gathered, together with the amusing fictions which 
 pass current among the imaginative sons of the Emerald 
 Isle. We conclude our remarks by commending the book 
 to our readers' notice, as a capital collection of Irish folk 
 lore, and as a reliable history of the curious customs and 
 observances which, from an early period, have prevailed in 
 Ireland, and the origin of which is involved in much 
 obscurity." — The Guernsey Mail and Telegraph. 
 
 (31)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 " L'Irlande est par excellence le pays des legendes et 
 des traditions. Nulle autre contr^e en Europe n'ofFre une 
 mine plus riche. peut-etre meme aussi riche, de poetiques 
 tresors et d'antiques souvenirs, le peuple qui I'habite ^tant 
 privilegie, comme on le sait, sous le double rapport des 
 facultes imaginatives et de la fid^lite li la tradition. D^ja 
 cette mine a ^te exploree dans diverses directions, et les 
 recits populaires, aussi bien que les monuments connus de 
 Tancienne litterature nationale, ont etc mis a profit, un peu 
 par les erudits, et surtout par les romanciers et les poetes. 
 Toutefois il reste encore, non-seulement a glaner, mais a 
 moissonner largement dans un champ aussi f^cond ; et il 
 faut se hater, car les sources de la tradition orale tendent a 
 se tarir tous les jours. On doit done savoir beaucoup de 
 gre a I'auteur d'avoir, en publiant cet interessant volume, 
 sauvt^ de I'oubli un grand nombre de recits, de legendes et 
 de superstitions populaires qui auraient pu tomber dans 
 I'oubli, et qui ont une grande importance pour I'ethno- 
 graphie et la mythologie comparees. II en a emprunte les 
 elements a deux sources differentes : h la tradition orale 
 pour la meilleure part, et aussi aux nombreuses ceuvres de 
 la litterature moderne de I'lrlande, on se trouvent dispersees 
 une foule de precieuses indications. Le volume est divis^ 
 en trente-cinq chapitres, consacr^s chacun a une des faces 
 si multiples du sujet. II renferme aussi plusieurs 'recits 
 humoristiques' spirituellement contes. L'auteur n'a pas eu 
 la i)retention de donner un ouvrage complet sur les legendes 
 et suj^erstitions iriandaises, et il serait par consequent injuste 
 de lui reprocher le peu de developpement qu'il a donn^ a 
 chacun de ses chapitres ; mais, apr<5s avoir lu ce qu'il fait 
 connaitre, on doit souhaiter qu'il puisse, grace h de nouvelles 
 rccherches, donner au public dans un ouvrage etendu, et 
 exempt cette fois d'ornements accessoires, un recueil aussi 
 complet que possil)lc des croyances et des traditions popu- 
 laries de I'lrlande." — Journal des Savants. 
 
 " It is unnecessary for us to go over the other chapters, 
 and we need say nothing more than that the book is most 
 valuable as a record of the 'folk-lore' of other days. The 
 respected author has done Ireland much service in preserving 
 those interesting tales and legends from oblivion. The 
 book should be in the hands of every Irishman." — The 
 Dundalk Democrat. 
 
 "Decidedly, this is the most entertaining book the year 
 
 (32)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 has brought forth. It abounds with humorous and pathetic 
 legends. * * * * xhe chapters which relate to fairy 
 lore are highly interesting, and we feel certain that the 
 pater-familias who pooh-poohs when his children eagerly 
 relate the marvels they have read in their new book, will 
 himself peruse it with much avidity ' on the sly,' when the 
 youngsters have retired for the night. He can remember 
 the charm such legends cast over his own life's morning 
 hours ; and after his battle with the hard, cruel world, he 
 will be ready to exclaim, with an admired song writer : — 
 'There are many less innocent things I ween. 
 Than dreaming of fairies now.' " 
 — The Leinster Ijidependent. 
 
 "L'ouvrage de Lageniensis (pseudonyme sous lequel se 
 cache un ecclesiastique distingue de Dublin) a surtout pour 
 but de faire apprecier au grand public le cote poetique et 
 pittoresque des traditions irlandaises. L'auteur les passe 
 toutes en revue dans des recits d'une lecture agreable et qui 
 donnent une idee assez fidele de I'ensemble du Folk Lore 
 irlandais, mais qui n'approfondissent pas le sujet." — Revue 
 Celtique. 
 
 "This is an unpretending little volume, but it forms a 
 welcome addition to the stock of materials which are 
 possessed by folk-lore students. * * * * -pj^g more 
 collectors we have like ' Lageniensis,' who will set forth in 
 simple style what they have gathered from the lips of the 
 country people, the better will it be for the author of the 
 comprehensive work which yet remains to be written on 
 the folk-lore of our islands. In one respect, in particular, 
 it is to be hoped that those who labour in Ireland will 
 follow his example, and that is in avoiding over-facetious- 
 ness. In his book the 'humorous tales' do not occupy more 
 than their appropriate share of space ; and the grave reader 
 is not depressed by too great an exhibition of the boisterous 
 high spirits in which Irish writers so often deem it necessary 
 to indulge when they are describing the manners and 
 customs of their countrymen. * «■ * * -pi-^g folk-lore 
 of Ireland has been so carefully studied and so fully illus- 
 trated by Mr. Crofton Croker, that ' Lageniensis' has not 
 thought it necessary to build up anything like a mythological 
 system, but has merely gossiped, and that agreeably enough, 
 about certain of its more prominent points. The most 
 valuable parts of his book are, of course, those additions to 
 
 (33) c
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 our stock of inforination on the subject which his own 
 experience has enabled him to contribute. * * * ♦ 
 Before taking leave of this pleasant little volume, we ought 
 to call attention to the kindly tone which pervades its 
 pages. When so many authors are in the habit of hewing 
 away at their brother writers as ferociously as if they were 
 ancient Israelites smiting Amalekites, it is pleasant to find 
 one of the irritable race who dispenses kind words around 
 as lavishly as ' Lageniensis.'" — The Atliciuium. 
 
 "The humorous tales in 'Folk Lore' demonstrate that 
 Irish wit and Irish jokes are devoid of that coarseness and 
 horseplay which is so essentially John Bullish ; the pathetic 
 legends will show the tenderness of the Irish nature; the 
 fairy tales, their superabundance of faith, and the riotousness 
 of their imagination ; whilst the peeps into archwological 
 and religious subjects, such as are to be found in the 
 chapters devoted to the 'Traces of Druidism in Ireland,' 
 * Lake Habitations and Spirits,' ' Divinations, iVstrology, 
 and Nostrums,' ' Dungal Recluse, a learned Irishman of the 
 Ninth Century,' and many others, will amply repay the 
 time spent by the antiquarian in reading them. It is a 
 work without which no college, monastic, or conventual 
 library can be considered complete, and one which ought to 
 be studied as well by the archaeologist as the general 
 reader." — The Weekly Register. 
 
 "The cheapest and pleasantest shilling's worth of the 
 season. It is really wonderful to see such a work produced 
 for such a price. For a course of three hundred pages and 
 upwards the reader is wafted, as if in a balloon, to that 
 cloud-land of magic and fairyism, in which the imagination 
 of the young delights to revel. The fairy changeling — the 
 mermaid — the merman — the hidden treasure — the banshee 
 — the lake spirit — the water sheerrie or bog-sprite — the 
 enchanted island of the blest — the warrior of the evil eye — 
 divinations — enchantments — sprite frolics — in short, the 
 whole realm of Fairydom is flung open to view. But the 
 graceful writer has waved o'er the scene a torch-glare by 
 which it was hitherto unillumined. Scattered throughout 
 the interesting volume will be found valuable analogical 
 remarks whicli connect those apparently childish legends 
 with the pagan h^re held in estimation by our forefathers 
 before the sun of Clnistianity arose. Thus the volume is 
 rendered one which may be safely placed at recreation 
 
 (34)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE TRESS. 
 
 hours in the hands of pupils of Convent Schools and 
 Colleges, and for older persons will often pleasantly beguile 
 a leisure hour." — Catholic Opinion. 
 
 13. The Buried Lady : 
 A Legend of Kilronan, by Lageniensis. 
 
 Joseph Dollard, 13 and 14 Dame Street, Dublin. 
 1877. Crown 8v'o. 
 
 Price Four Pence. 
 
 "While the story is told in flowing verse, the notes are 
 given, of course, in plain prose ; and curious it is to 
 observe the wealth of historic, traditional and miscellaneous 
 lore crushed into about three pages of small type appended 
 to the poem." — The Irish Monthly. 
 
 " ' Lageniensis' has been pressed to publish in one 
 volume a selection from the charming poems which he has 
 written from time to time during the last twenty years. 
 * * * * All appeared anonymously, if the nom de 
 plume, Lageniensis, by which he is as well known in 
 literary circles, as the poet, antiquarian and hagiologist, as 
 by his own name, can be called an anonymous signature. 
 One of his longer poems, * The Buried Lady, a Legend of 
 Kilronan,' has recently fallen under our notice. * * * * 
 We trust that he will include in the forthcoming edition this 
 little poem, which breathes, throughout, all the spirit of 
 tenderness and piety, so appropriate to the venerable 
 Church of Kilronan, — the burial place of Carolan, the last 
 of our Irish bards — where the scene is laid." — The Leinster 
 Leader. 
 
 14. The Life of St. GreUan, 
 
 Patron of the O'Kellys and of the Tribes of 
 Hy-Maine. 
 
 James Duffy & Sons, 14 and 15 Wellington Quay, Dublin. 
 1 88 1. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Price Sixpence. 
 (35)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 16. Report of the O'Connell Monument Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 lames Duffy & Co., Limited, 14 and 15 Wellington Quay, 
 Dublin. 1888. 8vo. 
 
 Not Sold. 
 
 16. Life and Scenery in Missouri, 
 
 liemiiiiscences of a Missionary Priest. 
 
 James Duffy & Co., Ltd., 14 & 15 Wellington Quay, Dublin. 
 1890. i8mo. 
 
 Price One Shillmg. 
 
 " The handy but comprehensive little volume under 
 notice, nicely printed and brought out by Duffy and Co., 
 does not fall short of any previous cognate work. Indeed 
 is it on the contrary, for the quantity and variety of know- 
 ledge contained within its three hundred clearly printed 
 ])ages indicate not only an immense amount of pertinent 
 information on the part of the talented, facile, and reverend 
 author, but display an amount of personal experience, 
 garnered by close observation and characterised by an 
 ability of arrangement, combined with a great facility of 
 graphic description and perfect narrative, which few authors 
 have approached in historical or topographical record. 
 The reader is introduced to St. Louis in the autumn of 
 1843. and the settlement, growth, and development of the 
 great State of Missouri, of which it is the capital, during 
 nearly forty years, until it has reached a point of civilisation 
 second to none of its sister States of the Union. This is 
 recounted with a fidelity, completeness and power of 
 description and narrative all absorbing to the general 
 reader, and it is a source of delight to the student or 
 litterateur. * ♦ * * Besides the personal sketches, 
 the chapters abound with several beautiful pieces of scene 
 jxainting, recitals of stirring incident, solid reflection, and 
 effective moral, all punctuated here and there with humorous 
 ejMsodes. As affording a good insight to the history of 
 North America the work will be most valuable as a book 
 
 (36)
 
 OnXIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 of reference. As a history of Missouri it is probably un- 
 equalled." — The Weekly Freeman's Journal. 
 
 "The book has naturally much to say of the illustrious 
 and singularly gifted prelate, the Most Rev. Dr. Kenrick, 
 who has directed the spiritual affairs of St. Louis with such 
 splendid success, and through so many years of trials and 
 vicissitudes. * * * * -pj-^g incident of his Grace's 
 Golden Jubilee cannot fail to be of interest to Irishmen 
 here at home, as his Grace is a native of the city of Dublin, 
 and has always shown a deep concern for the welfare of the 
 land of his birth." — Irish Ecclesiastical Record. 
 
 "The neat little volume, whose title we have given 
 above, is sure of a prompt and an extensive welcome, and 
 it is well entitled to it. It consists for the most part of 
 letters written many years ago, and whilst the observant 
 and genial author of them was in the very centre of the 
 ' Life and Scenery' he so gracefully and graphically records, 
 and contributed to the American Celt, then edited by the 
 able and lamented Thomas D'Arcy iM'Gee. * * _* * 
 'The missionary priest' has turned all his opportunities to 
 the best account, and has succeeded in producing a very 
 readable book, full of information, replete with admirably 
 drawn sketches of character and of incidents that impart to 
 it great life and variety. A good deal of the rev. author's 
 missionary career was spent in St. Louis, and he has much 
 that is full of interest to tell us of the growth of that city, of 
 its Catholicity, and of its social and political life." — The 
 Freeman s Joiii-nal (Daily). 
 
 "An interesting little book, entitled 'Life and Scenery 
 in Missouri,' is published by Messrs James Duffy & Co., 
 Dublin. It contains the reminiscences of a missionary 
 priest — now a Canon of the Dublin diocese, the Very Rev. 
 J. O'Hanlon — who has had exceptional opportunities for 
 observation and inquiry throughout all the country which 
 Ihis volume covers. Some of the sketches originally ap- 
 peared in an American paper, but they have been recast, 
 with many additions and corrections, and in their present 
 form they constitute an agreeably descriptive handbook of 
 the scenery, the mineral resources, and the manners and 
 customs of an important district in the Far West." — The 
 Daily Telegraph. (London.) 
 
 "The book is divided into forty-two chapters, and from 
 the opening lines to the very last page the interest is 
 
 (37)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 sustained throughout. * *■ * * -^Yg hope to have 
 sufficiently indicated the scope of the work to recommend it 
 to the reader, who cannot fail to derive from its perusal 
 a fund of instruction on many points, and especially a deep 
 insight into the free institutions of America, that great 
 haven of the Celtic race, the greater Ireland beyond the 
 waves." — The Leitriin Observer, 
 
 17. The Irish Emigrant's Guide for the United 
 
 States, 
 With Coloured Map and Kailway Connections. 
 
 First Irish Edition, revised, and Information brought 
 down to the present Year, 
 
 Sealy, Bryers and Walker, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin. 
 1890. i8mo. 
 
 Pj'ice One Shilling. 
 
 "Canon O'Hanlon was a resident of the American 
 Republic forty years ago, and he knows something about 
 this matter. For ourselves, we must say that we entirely 
 agree with him when he sounds a note of warning against 
 promiscuous emigration ; for we are very much inclined to 
 think that the last state of many of our countrymen when 
 they 'go West' turns out to be very much worse than the 
 first. Be that as it may, however, those who have made up 
 their minds to try their fortune in America will find in 
 Canon O'Hanlon's volume the information which it is 
 absolutely essential they should be in possession of, if they 
 mean to have their wits about them in taking the serious 
 step of going to a strange country. The first issue of the 
 work was published in 1851 in Boston. It had then a very 
 extensive circulation, and has since passed through a number 
 of editions. This is the first edition produced in Dublin, 
 and it has been revised throughout, and its information and 
 directions brought up to date. An excellent feature of the 
 book is a very good map of the United States." — United 
 Ireland. 
 
 " There is a brief review of the historical progress and 
 development of the United Slates, and the constitution of 
 
 (38)
 
 OI'IN ION'S OF THE PRESS. 
 
 their several governments, each State treated separately. 
 Advice is also offered on the obtaining of employment, 
 wages, farming, the climates, and many other interesting 
 matters. An appendix gives the constitution of the United 
 States, and full particulars about each of the Transatlantic 
 steamship companies." — Evening Telegraph. 
 
 " It has been compiled from the most trustworthy sources, 
 and the learned author's personal knowledge and experience 
 have been largely drawn upon. * * * * To the 
 general reader the book affords most interesting and in- 
 structive information, and it may be read universally with 
 profit. It is produced in a very attractive and handy 
 form." — Irish Times. 
 
 " The uneducated peasant leaves Ireland very often in 
 the hope of securing immediate employment, and with a 
 few years' labour a competency, but that hope is seldom 
 realised in the case of the man or woman who does not 
 count the cost, or goes out unprepared for any emergency 
 that might arise on landing. To avoid any such misfortune 
 in the case of future emigrants, this handsome and most 
 instructive little book, which has been compiled with much 
 care and forethought by the Rev. Mr, O'Hanlon, is now 
 offered at a reasonable price to all who desire to become 
 acquainted with America and its resources." — I^-ish Society. 
 
 "The Irish Emigrant's Guide for the United States, by 
 the Rev. John Canon O'Hanlon, P.P., Dublin, Sealy, 
 Bryers and Walker, is an excellent book, well worth its 
 price of a shilling, and it would be great advantage to the 
 numerous emigrants from this country if they consulted its 
 pages before leaving home." — Cashel Gazette. 
 
 "The impression before us is the first Dublin edition, 
 and the author states that it is the outcome of careful 
 revision, in order to bring its information down to the 
 present date." — Morning Ne^vs. (Belfast.) 
 
 " The information is detailed in short chapters, each 
 combined to its own special circumstances. Accompanying 
 the present work is a large and finely drawn and coloured 
 modern map of the United States, representing the different 
 lines of railway and their directions, as also the boundaries 
 of the various States and Territories, which will prove 
 especially useful, as it has been specially designed to 
 illustrate the information given in the Guide." — Arfjiagh 
 Gnardiaii. 
 
 (39)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 " The eminent position Canon O'Hanlon occupies in the 
 literary world gives guarantee that anything emanating 
 from his facile and energetic pen will, as well, be most 
 entertaining and useful reading as reliable and accurate in 
 information. * * * * fhis guide was first issued in 
 185 1, at Boston, while Canon O'Hanlon was a resident of 
 the United States, where he sojourned several years, and it 
 had then a very extensive circulation ; but the one under 
 notice is the first Dublin edition, which has been revised 
 throughout, and the exact information brought down to 
 date ; some special remarks pertaining to the wants and 
 conditions of Irishmen being adapted by the Very Reverend 
 author, which really take the form of practical instruction 
 on emigration. An excellent map of the United States is 
 attached to the handy volume, which should be had and 
 carefully studied by every Irish Emigrant." — Weekly 
 Freei/mii. 
 
 " The reverend author writes of America and the Ameri- 
 cans from a lengthy personal experience, and his manual 
 touches every department of knowledge useful to emigrants." 
 —The Bookseller. 
 
 18. Essay on the Antiquity and Constitution 
 of Parliaments in Ireland. 
 
 By Henry Joseph Monck Mason, LL.D., and M.R.I.A. 
 
 With a Life of the Author, and an Introduction 
 by Very Rev. John Canon O'Hanlon. 
 
 James Duffy & Co., Ltd., 14 & 15 Wellington Quay, Dublin. 
 1891. i8mo. 
 
 JVice One S/iilli?ig. 
 
 " A re-issue of this able Pamphlet by Canon O'Hanlon 
 comes at an opportune moment. It is a vahiable addition 
 to the literature on the great question of Irish Home Rule. 
 There exists a tendency in certain quarters to ignore the 
 great fi.ict that Ireland possessed a I'arliament entirely 
 independent of the Parliament of England from the very 
 beginning of such institutions, down to our own times. 
 
 (40)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 * * * * ;Mi-. Mason explains the powers and privileges 
 of each. * * * * \Ye heartily recommend it." — 
 Dublin Reviezo. 
 
 " The Very Rev. John Canon O'Hanlon has issued this 
 new edition of Dr. Mason's valuable essay, with an intro- 
 duction and life of the author. The introduction so supple- 
 ments and completes Mr. Mason's work as to give the 
 reader a complete view of Irish Parliamentary history. 
 The historical period covered is from the first Irish Parlia- 
 ment under Henry II. to the Parliament of 1800. Dr. 
 Mason's original work had been long out of print and had 
 grown very scarce. In bringing out this edition of it as ' a 
 work indispensable for the elucidation of the Irish Plome 
 Rule question,' the editor has added greatly to its value by 
 his own original writing in connection with it." — St. Lotus 
 Daily Republic. 
 
 " There is something significant in the spirit of brother- 
 hood that is abroad among the various religious communions 
 of the Ireland of to-day in the fact that Canon O'Hanlon 
 has edited this new edition of the pamphlet which Mr. 
 Henry Joseph Monck Mason published seventy years ago, 
 in defence of the ancient prerogatives of the Parliaments of 
 Ireland. Mr. Monck Mason was in his time a sturdy, if 
 not an aggressive upholder of Protestant principles." — The 
 National Press. 
 
 "The author demonstrates that Irish Parliaments suc- 
 ceeded each other with undeviating regularity, that they 
 were legislative and popular bodies, that they enacted all 
 the statutes necessary for the governing of the country, and 
 most important of all, that as a nation. Ireland was alto- 
 gether independent of the English Parliament, and was in 
 no way bound by its enactments. What have those who 
 found fault with the provisions of Mr. Gladstone's Home 
 Rule Bill, and who based their opposition to it on the 
 erroneous argument that Ireland for centuries did not 
 possess Parliaments distinct from those of the Saxon, to 
 say to this ? Enough has been said to show the high 
 appreciation in which both the antiquarian and politician 
 should hold Dr. Mason's choice collection of historic records 
 and literature. Canon O'Hanlon has done more for the 
 new edition than capably editing it. His facile and gifted 
 pen has adorned it with a brief, lucid preface, a deeply 
 interesting, and even elaborate biography of the author, 
 
 (41 )
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 and a voluminous, scholarly, deeply -thought, and closely- 
 reasoned introduction." — Frep.'/iaii's Journal. 
 
 *' The work has been lon^ since out of print, and no 
 more useful literar)' labour has been undertaken by anyone 
 during the last few years than that which gives to the 
 public, in the cheap and handy form in which this book is 
 now issued, a work with which every man who means to 
 take any part in the settlement of the Home Rule question 
 should be acquainted. Canon O'Hanlon has prefaced Mr. 
 Mason's essay by an introduction of considerable value, in 
 which he shows a profound knowledge of Irish history. 
 * * * * Altogether the little book, which has been 
 turned out very neatly by Duffy, is, as it stands, a distinct 
 gain to the Irish political literature of the day." — United 
 Ireland. 
 
 "Henry Joseph INIonck Mason's 'Parliaments of Ireland,' 
 long a standard work, appears in a new edition prefaced by 
 an introduction and a life of the author by the Very Rev. 
 John Canon O'Hanlon, who dedicates the work to Mr. 
 Gladstone. The book itself needs no notice, but the ' Life' 
 is both interesting and curious. The book is simply bound 
 and is intended to be within the means of all buyers." — 
 The Boston Pilot. 
 
 19. The Case of Ireland's Being Bound by 
 Acts of Parliament in England Stated, 
 
 By William Molyneux. 
 
 With Preface and Life of the Author, by the Very 
 Rev. John Canon O'Hanlon. 
 
 Scaly, Bryers and Walker, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin. 
 1892. 8vo. 
 
 Price Two Shillings. 
 
 "A nesv edition of this valuable and exhaustive book has 
 just been published with a preface and life of the author by 
 the Very Rev. Canon O'Hanlon, R.P., M.R.I. A. Like all 
 works with which Canon O'Hanlon is connected, it is 
 marked by erudition, knowledge, and care. The life is 
 extremely interesting, and authorities are quoted for all 
 
 (42)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 statements contained in it. The aim of the editor was to 
 render the present edition more desirable and satisfactory 
 than any other which preceded it, and in this he has 
 succeeded. It is a most useful work for all who desire to 
 be acquainted with the real facts of the connection between 
 this country and England, and no Irishman's library is 
 complete without 'The Case of Ireland Stated.'" — The 
 Evening Telegraph. 
 
 " The publishers have conferred a great boon on Irishmen 
 by securing the services of Canon O'Hanlon for the editing 
 of this new edition of Molyneux's famous book, and the 
 very rev. gentleman merits our cordial acknowledgment of 
 the manner in which he has completed his task. The 
 Preface and the Life of the Author of the ' Case Stated' are 
 invaluable as helping to awaken fresh interest in our past 
 histor}'^, and at this stage in our political fortunes, we 
 cannot doubt but that the work will be widely read by all 
 who are desirous of understanding the problems attending 
 the Legislative Union." — Belfast Morning News. 
 
 "We have to thank the enterprise of a Dublin publisher 
 and the careful, patriotic scholarship of Canon John 
 O'Hanlon, for filling this vacant place on the popular 
 bookshelf. They have given us a handy, readable, and 
 scholarly edition of Molyneux's famous work. Canon 
 O'Hanlon has prefixed to it a brief but industriously com- 
 piled and complete account of the author.'" — National 
 Press. 
 
 " It is a couple of centuries since this work first appeared, 
 and was, after due condemnation in Parliament, burned by 
 the common hangman. The present edition is chiefly 
 remarkable for the very interesting life of the author pre- 
 fixed." — Monthly Literary List. (New York.) 
 
 *• An attraction upon which the learned Canon lays 
 stress is a reproduction of a likeness of iNIolyneux from a 
 picture in the Theatre of Trinity College, Dublin, and from 
 a beautiful stipple and copperplate line engraving by the 
 celebrated Brocas, published by R. E. Mercier, in Dublin, 
 many years ago. * * * * Qur only regret is that the 
 publication of this glorious vindication of Irish liberty has 
 been delayed so long." — The Weekly Examiner and Ulster 
 Weekly News. 
 
 (43)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 20. The Poetical Works of Lageniensis. 
 With Portrait of Author. 
 
 James Duffy & Co., Limited, 15 Wellington Quay, Dublin. 
 
 1893. Crown 8vo, cloth. 
 
 Price Five Shillings. 
 
 "The first poem, which has well-nigh attained the 
 dimensions of a great epic, consisting as it does of six 
 cantos, or nearly two thousand lines, written in Spenserian 
 verse, deals with a subject admitting of the highest poetic 
 embellishment, and often presents graces of thought and 
 felicitous turns of expression that prove the author's thorough 
 conversance with the noblest poetry of the language. * * 
 * * Nor will any one who reads this poem deny that 
 the distinguished author has discovered abundance of poetic 
 material in his theme, and has expressed it in language that 
 lends to the 'Land of Leix' an interest it had never 
 hitherto possessed. * -;^ * * fhe second part of the 
 volume is entitled * Legend Lays of Ireland,' and expresses 
 in poetic form, as the author informs us in his erudite 
 preface, some tales selected from a treasury of folk-lore 
 which is practically inexhaustible. * * * * The. poems 
 are for the most part replete with life and movement, and 
 encircle the incidents to which they give expression in all 
 the weird glamour of an Irish fairy-land. * * * * 
 We congratulate Canon O'Hanlon on his admirable book, 
 and beg to express a hope that he may continue long to 
 labour in this and the other fields of our Irish national 
 literature, in which the harvest is so abundant, and the 
 labourers so few." — T/ie Irish Ecclesiastical Record. 
 
 "A warm welcome must be extended to the newly- 
 collected ' Toetical Works of Lageniensis.' which have 
 been published by James Duffy and Co., of Dublin. The 
 author is a very reverend gentleman, who prefers to issue 
 his verses under the name which first made his compositions 
 popular, although it is an open secret that his real name is 
 Canon John O'llanlon. He wields a graceful as well as an 
 enthusiastic, learned, and ])atriotic pen, and many besides 
 his fellow-countrymen in Ireland will like to peruse not 
 only his longer poem, ' The Land of Leix.' but the inter- 
 esting ' Legend Lays of Ireland' and his scholarly sonnets." 
 — The Daily Telegraph. (London.) 
 
 (44)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS, 
 
 "The Very Rev. Canon O'Hanlon's name was for long 
 associated with the graver pursuits of Irish hagiology and 
 archKological research. He now comes before us as a poet 
 and folk-lorist, and it would ill become us — poet-priests are 
 rare — to pass by one whose pen has served the literary 
 world so well. * * * * Xhe learned poet — for poet 
 he is — has given us 'The Land of Leix' in six cantos, 
 covering 125 pages, and in it deals with the history, anti- 
 quities, battles, ruins, etc., which always, alas ! alas ! have 
 such a pathetic interest for us. Whether unfolding a vision 
 of prehistoric times, or making allusion to the grave of a 
 friend of early years, the Canon's pen moves with ease and 
 elegance. * * * * After 'The Land of Leix' comes 
 'The Legend Lays of Ireland' — a variety of legends in a 
 variety of verse. * * * * Miscellaneous verses and 
 sonnets bring the collection to a close." — The Dublin 
 Reviezv. 
 
 " These poems are accompanied by long and valuable 
 archaeological notes, which greatly enhance their value and 
 make the book a contribution not only to the treasures of 
 Polymnia, but also to those of her graver sister Clio," — 
 The Catholic Times. (Philadelphia.) 
 
 " In the ' Poems of Lageniensis' the distinguished 
 Dublin priest leads captive the hearts of his compatriots. 
 * * * * That lovely region, archaic Leix, is here 
 delineated with exhaustive minuteness of detail. The 
 fascinating panorama unfolds in chequered vicissitude 
 nature's varied charms, glittering in the blended tints of 
 gorgeous imagination and elegant scholarship. Numerous 
 foot-notes comprise a miniature museum of quaint tit-bits 
 in history, philology and poetry — a choice mosaic worthy 
 an honoured member of the Royal Irish Academy." — The 
 American Catholic News. 
 
 " The first pages of the present volume are occupied by 
 an epic, the ' Land of Leix' a district which embraces 
 the greater portion of Queen's County, and one which has 
 many personal associations for the author. * * * * 
 The next division of the volume consists of a number of 
 ' Legend Lays of Ireland,' many of which are, metrically, 
 most effective and original. There are in them repeated 
 instances of that musical rhythm which characterizes so 
 much genuine Irish poetry. A patriotic enthusiasm is 
 exhibited in every line, and a natural spontaneous poetry 
 
 (45 )
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 actuates almost every image and expression. It is gratifying 
 to find an instinctively national writer adopting home-grown 
 subjects for his theme, and treating them with so much 
 inspiration and effect. The remaining poems, which include 
 some admirable sonnets, are deserving of a careful reading, 
 and are sure to be found full of merit. They are a decided 
 addition to the national poetry of Ireland ; and it is to be 
 expected that with the revival of interest in Irish literature 
 and history they will become popular. The author is 
 entitled to the gratitude of his countrymen, for having 
 unearthed so many old-time events and fictions, and for 
 having presented them in such agreeable form. All who 
 take an interest in literature as a national product must be 
 attracted to this book and will read it, we are sure, with 
 great satisfaction." — The Month. 
 
 " It is a volume which has many claims upon many 
 readers; for almost every page is enriched by learned notes, 
 or reminiscences of the writer's early days, which contain a 
 wealth of information not to be neglected by students of 
 Irish topography, hagiology, folk-lore, history, social cus- 
 toms and traditions. * * * * There is a poem in the 
 Spenserian stanza, upon the famous principality, so celebrated 
 in history and tradition, through its great line of chiefs, the 
 house of the O' Mores. * * * * xhe poem flows 
 from theme to theme, somewhat in the manner of ' Childe 
 Harold,' mingling history and love of nature with deep 
 personal feeling. * * * * No review can give a just 
 impression of the wealth of stirring and beautiful tradition 
 in this poem, which springs from a great storehouse of 
 learning indeed, but is far more than merely learned. * * 
 * * 'The Land of Leix' is a true service to Irish 
 literature. * * * * Upon the miscellaneous poems 
 and sonnets there is not space to dwell, they are religious, 
 memorial and patriotic, all of no little deep sentiment and 
 kindly grace : pzus vates and de Hibcrnia bene meritus." — 
 The Academy. 
 
 "His 'Land of Leix' is a long poem in Spenserian 
 stanza, describing minutely that part of Ireland which may 
 be said to be our present (Queen's County. Every hill, 
 river and castle is lovingly commemorated, with all the 
 historical associations and many personal and local parti- 
 culars which arc often interesting and valuable." — The Irish 
 Monthly. 
 
 (46)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 *' Canon O'Hanlon divides his book into several sections, 
 beginning with a lengthened contribution in six cantos of 
 Spenserian stanza, entitled 'The Land of Leix,' which is 
 a delightful picturesque manual to all that is stirring in the 
 ancient territory of the O'MoRES — that noble district of 
 central Ireland — and then follows a graceful collection of 
 legendary lays. ***'=- . nf^g Land of Leix ' was 
 particularly interesting to us, for we are familiar with every 
 inch of the ground treated of by the bard, and were person- 
 ally acquainted with many of the characters of a later 
 generation to whom he alludes. In truth, we felt an 
 especial attractiveness in his plain and copious footnotes 
 describing many spots, famous, like the Dun of Clopoke. 
 the Round Tower of I'imahoe, and the Rock of Dunamase." 
 — The Universe. 
 
 "We are glad to welcome a volume of the collected 
 poems of the author of the ' Lives of the Irish Saints.' 
 * * * * It contains the 'Land of Leix,' the well- 
 known legendary poems of the author, and also a consider- 
 able collection of reflective and miscellaneous poems. The 
 ' Land of Leix' is a production of great beauty, and 
 remarkably original in conception. It is not always easy to 
 invest a poem dealing with local history and characteristics 
 and scenic attractions with the interest which it is com- 
 paratively easy for a versifier of any talent to give to matters 
 which afford room for more discursive treatment. But in 
 the hands of Canon O'Hanlon the theme has been treated 
 with great power. There is melody and grace in the poem 
 from beginning to end, and, full as it is of sentiment which 
 is altogether Irish, it could not fail to be read with the 
 deepest pleasure by anyone who loves the old land, her 
 traditions, and the heroism of her past, and who has ever 
 learned what a great part the ancient territory of the Land 
 of Leix played in the battles for freedom in modern times 
 as well as in the exploits handed down in the records of the 
 dim ages of Ireland's glory. The poet touches with a facile 
 genius upon the history, antiquities, legends, and ancient 
 remains, and his poem is studded with beautiful and chaste 
 reflections to which his theme gives rise. * * * * 
 The collection of Irish legends in poetry, which fills a 
 goodly number of pages, is a work that will be grateful to 
 the soul of every Irishman. * * * * "We "have read 
 Canon O'Hanlon's legends with the greatest delight. We 
 
 (47)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 feel sure the delight they occasioned in the reading was 
 nothing to the pleasure which their composition gave the 
 reverend writer. He handles them reverently, and with a 
 glow of pride in the ancient records which unfortunately is 
 not always felt by Irishmen. The legends are collected 
 from north, south, east, and west. The lakes, the moun- 
 tains, the raths, cromleachs, and duns, and round towers — 
 all furnish their quota. Some of them are weird Pagan 
 traditions ; a good many of them have cast around them 
 the softening influences of Christianity which had so marked 
 an influence upon all the literature, custom, and character 
 of the impressionable Irish." — The Evening Telegraph. 
 
 " Those who love to hear of the old tales and legends, 
 and to learn more of the poetry and histor)% the biography 
 and romance, of the land of their fathers, will And, we 
 think, in those poems, and in the wealth of historical, 
 biographical and topographical notes, with which they are 
 illustrated, a real fund of enjoyment and profit." — The 
 American Catholic Qiia?-terly Review. 
 
 " The abundant notes which are appended to the poems 
 are, in themselves, most interesting and instructive illustra- 
 tions of Irish history and topography, and of Irish legendary 
 lore."— y/^^ Austral Light. 
 
 " Messrs. James Duffy and Co., Limited, Dublin, have 
 published a volume of poems termed Poetical Works of 
 Lageniensis. It is strong and elegantly bound, while in 
 type and paper it will compare with the best issues of first- 
 rate London houses. * * » * p^\\ ^^j^q peruse the 
 book will find it palpitating with the true tender sympathy 
 of the meditative poet, who, devoid of the fateful passions 
 of the ordinary mortal, muses with a melancholy tinge of 
 twilight romance over the real and mystic glories of his 
 beloved native land." — IrisJi Society. 
 
 " He tells of the legends and folk-lore of that central 
 district where battles were fought in the heart of Ireland 
 when the great chieftains were still holding out a fierce 
 resistance to the Crown and to each other. Long before 
 these conflicts and far further back does he go to bring a 
 picture before his readers of the historic interests connected 
 with what is now the Queen's County. Such work has an 
 especial value beside the poetic, and this work is added to 
 by the number of notes and authorities which the author 
 gives. More than half the contents of the volume is 
 
 (48)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE TRESS. 
 
 devoted to the old territory of Leix, aiid the rest deals with 
 legends of other parts of Ireland. The care which Canon 
 O'Hanlon has displayed upon this collection of his metrical 
 works is worthy of all acknowledgment, and the work is 
 one which will be treasured by those who take an interest 
 in the legends and the lore of this country." — The Daily 
 Express. 
 
 " Ce volume est aussi remarquable par le charme de la 
 poesie, la hauteur de vues, le sentiment patriotique, que par 
 la valeur traditionniste des notes nombreuses qui I'accom- 
 pagnent et qui en font un vrai livre de Folklore irlandais." 
 — Dictionnaire International des Folkloristes Contemporains. 
 
 "At a time when Irish literature and legend is being 
 revived around us, no more admirable volume could be 
 published than Canon O'Hanlon's poems, thoroughly racy 
 of the soil as they are. We bespeak for them a very wide 
 circulation, and wherever they go they are sure to carry on 
 in a rich stream the love of faith and fatherland. The 
 volume is gracefully dedicated to the Countess of Aberdeen, 
 and is adorned with a good portrait of the rev. author."' — 
 The Freeman's Journal. (Daily.) 
 
 '* Many of these compositions have been long out of print, 
 especially the ' Legend Lays of Ireland,' which have often 
 been sought for by collectors and students of Irish national 
 folk-lore. 'The Land of Leix' was unprocurable in any 
 form, until its several parts had been extracted from different 
 periodicals, and placed in the order of cantos and stanzas 
 they now occupy in this very readable volume, which is 
 enriched with very valuable footnotes exhibiting the writer's 
 extensive acquaintance with Irish history." — The Catholic 
 Times. (Liverpool.) 
 
 " Canon O'Hanlon's many friends and admirers will 
 most gladly welcome the above collection in book form of 
 his legendary and other verse. * * * * Taken alto- 
 gether it is a book which needs no recommendation to the 
 Irish reader. The name ' Lageniensis' is a sufficient 
 guarantee for the high value of its contents. Those who 
 are already familiar with the 'Legend Lays of Ireland' 
 and the stray poems published in the different periodicals, 
 will be delighted to meet their old favourites in this collec- 
 tion, while those who are so unfortunate as to be unac- 
 quainted with the reverend author's charming verse, will 
 have an opportunity of enriching their minds and libraries 
 
 (49) d
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 by a store of melody at once elevating, entertaining and 
 instructive. We heartily welcome this new volume, added 
 to the varied list of books, for which Ireland owes a debt 
 of gratitude to her distinguished son."— 77/i? Weekly Free- 
 man. 
 
 " The volume now under consideration is a collection for 
 the most part of descriptive and legendary verse, divided as 
 follows : ' The Land of Leix,' descriptive and historical ; 
 * Legend Lays of Ireland,' containing stories illustrative of 
 folk-lore in almost every county ; and quite a number of 
 miscellaneous poems, many of which appear here in collected 
 form for the first time. In his poems Father O'Hanlon 
 displays almost as much variety of form and excellence of 
 manner as in his varied prose writings. The rhythm is 
 always smooth and the diction elegant, while the word- 
 painting presents a literary landscape that is not often 
 surpassed by the foremost masters in the art, the poets 
 reputed to be possessed of real genius." — The Catholic 
 Standard. (Philadelphia.) 
 
 IN THE PRESS, AND PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. 
 
 21. Irish- American History of the United 
 
 States. 
 
 With Coloured Map of the great American Republic. 
 
 By Very Rev. John Canon O'Hanlon. 
 
 Sealy, Bryers and Walker, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin. 
 8vo. 
 
 *' The Rev, Canon O'Hanlon, of Dublin, the erudite 
 Irish historian and hagiologist, whose great work on * The 
 Lives of the Irish Saints' is gradually approaching com- 
 pletion, is at present engaged in a work entitled 'An Irish- 
 American History of the United States,' in which he will 
 show the extent of influence of the Irish settlers of America. 
 His introductory chapter will deal with St. Brendan's 
 pre-Columbian voyage to the Continent." — The Daily 
 Chronicle. 
 
 (50)
 
 ALREADY PUBLISHED. 
 
 Dublin: James Duffy & Co., Ltd., 15 Wellington Quay. 
 
 To be completed in Twelve Royal Octavo Volwnes, and in 
 120 Parts, of da, pages each Part. 
 
 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 
 
 Conapiled from Manuscript and other Sources, 
 W\i\ \\t Commemorations anb J^estibsls of ^ob |,lersou^, 
 
 NOTED IN 
 
 Calendars, Martyrologies, and Various Works, 
 Domestic or Foreign, 
 
 RELATING TO 
 
 %\t ^ncicttt dliurcl] fistora of |relan5r, 
 
 BY THE 
 
 EEY. JOHN CANOF O'HANLON, M.E.I.A. 
 
 Price, ONE SHILLING each Part to Subscribers; 
 ONE SHILLING d SIXPENCE each to Non-Subscribers. 
 
 Vol. I. For the Month of January, containing 13 Parts, 
 comprising Introduction, pp. i. to clxxii., and pp. i to 624, 
 cloth, gilt, and gilt edges, bevelled, in highly ornamental 
 Covers, Price to Subscribers, i6s. ; to Non-Subscribers 
 22s. 6d. 
 
 Vol. II. For the Month of February, containing 12 Parts 
 pp. I to 736, do.. Price to Subscribers, 15s.; to Non-Sub 
 scribers, 21s. 
 
 Vol. III. For the Month of March, containing 16 Parts 
 pp. I to 1,036, do.. Price to Subscribers, 19s. ; to Non 
 Subscribers, 27s. 
 
 (51)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 Vol. IV. For the Month of April, containing 9 Parts, 
 pp. I to 576, do., Price to Subscribers, 12s.; to Non-Sub- 
 scribers, 1 6s. 6d. 
 
 Vol. V. For the Month of May, containing 10 Parts, 
 pp. I to 624, do., Price to Subscribers, 13s. ; to Non-Sub- 
 scribers, 1 8s. 
 
 Vol. VI. For the Month of June, containing 13 Parts, 
 pp. I to 832, do., Price to Subscribers, i6s.; to Non-Sub- 
 scribers, 22s. 6d. 
 
 Vol. VII. For the Month of July, containing 8 Parts, 
 pp. I to 520, do., Price to Subscribers, us. ; to Non-Sub- 
 scribers, 15s. 
 
 Vol. VIII. For the Month of August, containing 8 Parts, 
 pp. I to 512, do.. Price to Subscribers, us.; to Non-Sub- 
 scribers, 15s. 
 
 *^* Binding in Cloth, gilt, and gilt edges, each Vol., 3s. ; 
 plain, each Vol., 2s. 6d. ; in best morocco, extra, 12s. ; in 
 any Variety of Colour ordered. The rich style of Cover 
 design, the Opus Hibernicuni, specially adapted, only 
 furnished from the Bookbinding Establishment of Messrs. 
 James Duffy and Co. 
 
 S^ Cloth Cases, in a Variety of Colours, with richly gilt 
 Sides and Back, and in a Style to match for each Volume, 
 
 TERMS OF subscription. 
 
 ^' The printed Numbers are sent to Home Subscribers, 
 who shall have paid Five Shillings in advance, thus 
 securing five successive Parts, post free. From Subscribers 
 in the United States, the British Colonies, and abroad. One 
 Pound in advance is required to receive twenty successive 
 Parts, post free. 
 
 Money or Postal Orders to be drawn on the General Post 
 Office, Dublin. Cheques {crossed), to be drawn on a Dublin 
 Bank, to save the cost of collection. Address : Rev. John 
 Canon O'llanlon, P.P., Star of the Sea Church, Irishtown, 
 Dublin. 
 
 (52 )
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 NOTICES OF THE PRESS. 
 
 The following notices are selected from many other 
 reviews that have hitherto been published : — 
 
 *' It was, we believe, in 1857, when publishing his 'Life 
 of St. Laurence O'Toole,' two years previous to that of 
 * St. Malachy O'Morgair,' that Father O'Hanlon first pub- 
 licly announced his intention of bringing out the * Lives of 
 the Irish Saints.' But it was the dream of his early youth, 
 one which haunted him from the dawn of his missionary 
 career, in Ireland, in the great cities and savannas of 
 America, and after his return to his native land. It was a 
 work necessarily of immense labour, requiring untiring 
 exertion, and unlimited access to printed and manuscript 
 sources of information, and when these were secured, then 
 was absolutely necessary the hand of a skilful master, one 
 of clear judgment in the selection and arrangement of the 
 material accumulated, and possessed of the highest critical 
 faculty in discriminating evidence. We are happy to say, 
 that so far as the present work has proceeded, Father 
 O'Hanlon has fully realized, if not exceeded, his antece- 
 dents. His Lives of Saints Laurence, Malachy, and David, 
 had marked him as one of the most eminent of modern 
 Irish hagiologists, as one standing alone in a great and 
 glorious effort to recall and render imperishable the labours 
 of the saints of Erin. Colgan only accomplished three 
 months of the ecclesiastical year, and to the general public 
 his work was in a sealed language, out of print, and almost 
 impossible to procure. The same might almost be said of 
 the mighty tomes of the Bollandists and Benedictines of 
 St. Maur. Nowhere was to be had an express work on the 
 lives of the saints of Ireland, or of their missionary children 
 who christianized the greater part of Europe. * * * 
 We have no doubt therefore, that the public will receive 
 the present instalment of Father O'Hanlon's admirable un- 
 dertaking with feelings of no ordinary gratification, not 
 only to those who honour and revere the saints of God, 
 who shine as lights in the brightest as well as in the darkest 
 eras of the Church's history, but to those who love and 
 wish to learn the story of their country's strange vicissitudes, 
 its peaceful disenthralment from the slavery of idolatry, its 
 
 (53)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 progress in faith, its struggles against the usurpation of the 
 invading Norse, who desire to know the holy places sancti- 
 fied by those saints, as their abodes in life or sanctuaries 
 after death — all will turn to those pages with yearning in- 
 terest and eager inquiry. In them they will find the result 
 of long continued and patient research, the record and 
 biography not only of distinguished holy men, but of many 
 others, partially obscure and half forgotten, save in those 
 remote places where their memories are still cherished, and 
 their graves and humble baptisteries are still pointed out 
 by a grateful people. To discover those half- forgotten and 
 holy wells, draped with ivy or marked by the solitary 
 thorn, has been no easy operation ; but once found out, it 
 is pleasant to see how joyfully and piously we linger round 
 them, and pour forth the silent prayers of thanksgiving and 
 supplication. Around these sacred monuments of Irish 
 faith and devotion, Father O'Hanlon guides us in quiet 
 pilgrimage, pouring out his varied information, and de- 
 scribing the place and the adjoining scenery with true 
 poetry and loving devotion of mind." — Ulster Examiner. 
 
 "A book called the 'Lives of the Irish Saints,' with 
 many hundred wood engravings of old Irish Churches, by 
 the Rev. John O'Hanlon, is being prepared for publication, 
 and is expected to throw much light on Irish Christian 
 antiquities. " — Public Opinion. 
 
 "The labours of the Bollandists, whose writings, 'the 
 Acta Sanctorum,' have extended over more than a century, 
 have passed into a proverb, and it is well known that the 
 great Dictionary undertaken many years since by the French 
 Academy has still years of labour before it ; but here we 
 have one man undertaking a work, which to judge by the 
 first part now before us, holds out the prospect of a labour 
 almost as gigantic. It will not, however, we feel sure, be 
 for want of encouragement on the part of the Catholic press, 
 if Father O'Hanlon should never realise the accomplishment 
 of his purpose ; and we can assure him, that our best wishes 
 will follow him, as he brings out each succeeding number. 
 The first part contains so much as is known of the several 
 Irish Saints for the four first days of January, with the 
 beginning of the fifth ; and the facts of each Life appear to 
 be put together in a most readable form, interspersed with 
 picturesque descriptions of scenery and plenty of pious 
 reflections. Each page contains copious notes of explana- 
 
 (54)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 tion, or reference to authorities quoted in the work, and 
 there are occasional illustrations, such as ruins of ancient 
 churches, and spots rendered interesting from association 
 with some Saint of old." — Weekly Register. 
 
 "An original and a voluminous work." — The World. 
 (U.S.A.) 
 
 ** The Rev. Mr. O'Hanlon, a zealous and active Catholic 
 missionary priest in one of the parishes of the metropolis, 
 has devoted the best part of his life to the accumulation of 
 materials bearing on the sacred and historic incidents of 
 Irish hagiology. He has been a living and enthusiastic 
 explorer amongst the bright past days of Christian Ireland, 
 and has spared neither time, nor health, nor money, nor 
 toil, to reach the best and surest sources of information and 
 of authority on the subjects to which he has devoted such 
 constant — we had almost said — such affectionate study and 
 attention. The materials out of which he had to construct 
 his narratives were, no doubt, ample and abounding, but it 
 was this very fact, their amplitude and their number, that, 
 perhaps, constituted his chiefest difficulty. They were 
 scattered about in various places, and the same lives were 
 often written by different hands. It was, therefore, a 
 matter of necessity, that all of them should be got at, and 
 all of them carefully read. For Father O'Hanlon proposed 
 to himself, that his work should be a full one, or that at 
 least no important incident in connection with the Irish 
 Saints should be omitted from his biographies of them. In 
 fulfilment of his purpose, he has left no available source 
 unexplored, and has been careful to make his 'Lives' a 
 work that will be fit to take rank amongst the worthies of 
 genuine hagiology. He has brought us in the first number 
 of his great book, from the Saints of the first of January to 
 those of the fourth, and has in all presented us with lives of 
 more than thirty Saints. Some of the lives are, as might 
 naturally be expected, longer than others, and there are a 
 few of the Saints of whom, with all his research, our 
 reverend author could find but the simple record that they 
 lived and that they died. He has succeeded in making his 
 narrative very interesting, and some of his descriptive bits 
 of Irish scenery display a considerable amount of literary 
 skill. The number is admirably brought out, and the 
 printing of it does the greatest credit to the workmanship 
 of its native printer, Mr. DoUard, of Dame Street. It is 
 
 (55)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 largely illustrated with really excellent woodcuts, which as 
 works of art — apart altogether from their great value as 
 accurate and interesting representations of cherished sacred 
 historical spots — impart much attractiveness to the work." 
 — The Irish Times. 
 
 " At last the name and the fame of the holy ones of our 
 Island of Saints are to be brought from out the dim, reli- 
 gious shadows of monastic libraries, and set up before our 
 people in the light of our national literature. It was not to 
 our credit as a literary people, that so little was popularly 
 known of our Irish saints ; nay, in quarters where better 
 things might have been expected, Irish hagiology was a 
 region unexplored, and our Irish saint-lore an unopened 
 volume. * * * This, however, only intensified the 
 difficulties against which Father O'Hanlon had to struggle, 
 and made, as it were, thicker and more palpable the hagio- 
 logical darkness through which he had to grope the way. 
 It was only a patriotic as well as a religious enthusiasm such 
 as his, coupled with and sustained by an almost heroic 
 patience and perseverance, that could have borne him on- 
 ward through a task so overwhelming in the variety as 
 well as in the comparative obscurity of its details and its 
 materials. Yet he has triumphed over them all, and now 
 beholds, we are sure, with pleasure, as well he may with 
 pride, the first public beginning of a noble work, which we 
 earnestly trust he may live to see auspiciously crowned 
 with a worthy and successful completion. No. I of the 
 book is now before us, and we sincerely congratulate Father 
 O'Hanlon and all concerned with him in its production on 
 the most creditable and artistic appearance which the work 
 presents. We congratulate them all the more heartily that 
 all of it is the work of Irish hands, and all of it has been 
 done at home in our city. The number contains sixty-four 
 pages of matter, and is enriched with about a dozen of 
 clear and beautifully executed illustrations. It opens with 
 the hagiology of the first day of the year and the life of the 
 saint whose name appears first on the calendar. No less 
 than nineteen saints are noted for the 1st of January ; and 
 Father O'Hanlon exhausts all the sources that could throw 
 light on their lives. Some of them are known, and nothing 
 more ; and of others the recorded incidents are but few and 
 fragmentary. He devotes to each saint a separate ' article ' 
 — each article, of course, varying in length according to the 
 
 (56)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 supply of the materials — and this division will, when the 
 work is finished, be found admirably convenient for easy 
 reference. ***** \Ve have said nothing of the 
 notes with which it is enriched. They are most learned 
 and most valuable. They contain the reference for every 
 biographical, historical and topographical statement in the 
 context, and are completely exhaustive of the subject about 
 which they treat. We have said that the illustrations are 
 excellently done. They embrace a set of subjects little 
 known through photographic reproductions, and are, there- 
 fore, of all the more interest for the scholar or the intellec- 
 tual tourist." — The Freeman'' s Journal. 
 
 "The Irish Saints by a painstaking and scholarly writer." 
 — The Sacristy. 
 
 "The engravings are finely executed, and the paper and 
 press-work are of the very best. The approbation and 
 encouragement given to the author by the Irish hierarchy 
 ought to be a guarantee for the excellence of the text. The 
 Lives of the Irish Saints are less known than the Saints of 
 almost any country in Europe. Even the Irish people 
 themselves are not acquainted with the lives of many, and 
 with even the names of some. Three centuries of perse- 
 cution explain this destruction of these holy remembrances; 
 but now, when Catholic Ireland raises her head and repairs 
 her past misfortunes, she must also revive these the purest 
 of her glories."— T/?^ Boston Pilot. (U.S.A.) 
 
 " The great, the almost sacred, labour of a lifetime is fast 
 nearing its completion, and the people of Ireland are soon 
 to have placed within their reach the rich and abounding 
 records of the illustrious dead, who in times gone by 
 achieved for our country its title and its fame of the Island 
 of Saints." — The Castlebar Telegraph. 
 
 "A great work on the Irish Saints, which ought to be in 
 the possession of every Catholic family." — The Monitor. 
 (San Francisco, U.S.A.) 
 
 " The first profusely illustrated number of Rev. John 
 O'Hanlon's ' Lives of the Irish Saints ' is expected to be 
 published in Dublin shortly after Easter, and to be derived 
 from original sources, both as to literary materials and 
 artistic subjects." — The Irish Builder. 
 
 "The claims of St. Fursey have been put forward by 
 Canon O'Hanlon in his ' Lives of the Irish Saints.' He 
 thinks there can scarcely be a doubt, that Fursey's Vision 
 
 (57)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 furnished Dante in a great measure with the idea and plan 
 of the Divine Comedy, and he quotes several passages of 
 it which so closely resemble passages in the Vision, that it 
 seems impossible to regard the coincidence as fortuitous. 
 * * * Fursey's Vision is set out in Canon O'Hanlon's 
 Life of the Saint." — Irish Daily Independent. 
 
 " It is a subject of no small congratulation, that the task, 
 so long delayed, has fallen into the hands of a student so 
 conscientious, a scholar so accomplished, an antiquary so 
 enthusiastic, and an ecclesiastic so capable of appreciating 
 the great features in the great characters of the Irish saints 
 as Father O'Hanlon. It would be needless to enlarge 
 upon the difficulty and laborious research involved in the 
 work. A glance at the first number is sufficient to indicate, 
 though not fully to reveal, the pains which have gone to 
 the accomplishment of this ?7mgmun opus. * * * To 
 call a work learned is calculated to frighten some people, 
 especially in the present day, when only the lightest of light 
 literature is thoroughly favoured. But we beg to assure 
 our readers that it is quite possible to be learned and at the 
 same time pleasing, and Father O'Hanlon has mastered 
 this art, desirable even in one who deals with so grave a 
 subject as the lives and character of the Irish saints. The 
 minds of the sainted ones of our race appear to have been 
 tinged with something of the poetic character of the land, 
 and their career abounds in the picturesque. Father 
 O'Hanlon has not gone out of his way to search for such 
 graces of narrative. On the contrary, he has exercised a 
 very rigid severity in the rejection of untrustworthy and in- 
 credible legends." — Cork Exajniner. 
 
 "This learned work is a fund of sacred instruction and 
 devotional reading." — The Ave Maria Magazine. (U.S.A.) 
 
 "A book called the 'Lives of the Irish Saints,' with 
 many hundred wood engravings of old Irish churches, by 
 the Rev. John O'Hanlon, is being prepared for publication, 
 and is expected to throw much light on Irish Christian an- 
 tiquities." — The Northern Whig. 
 
 *'It is beautifully printed, well illustrated, and will furnish 
 future writers on the history, ecclesiology and topography 
 of Ireland with a most valuable storehouse of information." 
 — The Athencciun. 
 
 " There is no living writer better qualified for the arduous 
 task he has undertaken than Father O'Hanlon, and we 
 
 (58)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 cordially commend his labours to the notice of the clergy 
 and archceologists of the city and county of Kilkenny." — 
 Kilkenny Journal. 
 
 " His work is a substantial repast, not for one day, but 
 for every day throughout the year. The first part of Vol. I. 
 is just out. It is first-class in its history, in the authorities 
 cited, in the learning displayed, and above all in the extra- 
 ordinary research of the writer, and the pains he has 
 manifestly taken to know all and every thing connected 
 with the subject matter regarding which he writes.'" — The 
 Tuain Nexus. 
 
 " There can be no doubt, therefore, that the work will 
 be accomplished with all the accuracy that zeal, industry 
 and erudition can bring to the task." — Saunders's Neivs- 
 Letter. 
 
 "A complete work of Irish Hagiology." — Northerii Star. 
 
 "A project which will truthfully reveal the piety, the 
 devotion, the God-like knowledge which preserved the 
 blessing of the Faith to Erin." — Tipperary Free Press. 
 
 "Lives of the Irish Saints, to the number of over 3,000 
 separate articles, with many hundred wood engravings of 
 old Irish churches, is preparing for immediate publication." 
 — The Morning Mail. 
 
 "We have much pleasure in recommending the above 
 work to the antiquarian and the literateur, and in con- 
 gratulating its learned and revered author on the success 
 that promises to crown his labours." — Wexford Independent. 
 
 " We know of no one more competent in the Irish 
 Church to do justice to this magnificent undertaking. 
 ^ * * Father O'Hanlon has given good earnest in the 
 many learned works already written by him, that the forth- 
 coming work will be worthy of his high literary character 
 and his inspiring subject. What curious and precious 
 glimpses into the ideas and habits of early Irish life, espe- 
 cially the religious life, may be expected from the ' Lives 
 of the Irish Saints.' " — Clare Advertiser: 
 
 "None but a man of indomitable perseverance could 
 have carried to a successful completion a task beset with so 
 many difficulties. The scholar of Irish history knows the 
 intricate and obscure paths he has to tread when trying to 
 trace out the story of his country in a political point of 
 view ; but the labour is vastly increased if it be the sacred 
 history or lives of Ireland's 3,000 saints that he endeavours 
 
 (59)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 to depict. The materials are often scant, the data uncer- 
 tain. Many holy persons of the same or similar names 
 lived frequently in the same period. In the lapse of years 
 their acts became so blended together as to render it a 
 hopeless task to be able to distinguish between them. The 
 manuscripts which could elucidate what is often so uncer- 
 tain now have either been entirely destroyed or are scattered 
 far and wide through the libraries of Europe. The * Lives 
 of the Irish Saints,' in the Rev. J. O'Hanlon's twelve 
 large volumes, will have a great deal of interest for us on 
 this side of the Channel."— 77^^ Tablet. 
 
 *' His work is at last complete. He has surmounted the 
 obstacles that at first seemed unconquerable ; he has veri- 
 fied sites of saintly dwellings that seemed lost in doubt or 
 in obscurity ; he has availed himself to the full of the more 
 than kindly generosity and hospitality with which Belgian 
 monasteries and their invaluable libraries were thrown 
 open for his use, and he has exhausted every record that 
 has lain for years unexplored in private and public collec- 
 tions of manuscripts and printed memoirs of libraries here 
 at home. Therefore it is that Father O'Hanlon's ' Lives 
 of the Irish Saints ' will rank as a standard work, not alone 
 of Irish hagiology, but of Irish history and of ancient Irish 
 topography — for he has identified every locality, and con- 
 firmed every reference by the aid and the light of researches, 
 the value and authority of which it is impossible to dis- 
 pute. The work was a huge one, beyond all question ; 
 and it needed a courageous and an enthusiastic spirit to dare 
 it. Nearly three thousand saints are mentioned in our 
 Irish calendars and martyrologies, and it was a necessary 
 portion of his task to leave not a source unexplored, whence 
 he could hope to draw even the tiniest supply for his vast 
 undertaking." — Dublin Evejiing Post. 
 
 " The second part of Vol. I. of this magnificent edition of 
 the Lives of the Irish Saints has just been issued by the 
 publishers. The wonderful labour, the exhaustless patience, 
 the deep and constant research, and varied learning of the 
 gifted author, are seen in every page of this splendid work, 
 which promises to be a monument worthy of the theme, and 
 unspeakably creditable to the author's indefatigable perse- 
 verance and those other qualities, which fit him for a task 
 so herculean in all its proportions." — The Lima'ick Re- 
 porter. 
 
 (60)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 " The first number of Father O'Hanlon's magmuii opus 
 — *The Lives of the Irish Saints' — is before us; and we 
 are glad to say it fully realizes the promises of the Prospec- 
 tus, and the high expectations which had been formed of 
 the work. * * * The several smaller works of a kindred 
 character previously published by Father O'Hanlon were 
 evidence of his competency for the task he had undertaken. 
 He possessed, in fact, all the qualities suitable for a labourer 
 in that peculiar field of ecclesiastical literature — a love for 
 his subject, unwearying patience and industry in the collec- 
 tion of materials, and a careful and conscientious habit of 
 using them. * * * * The compilation of this valuable 
 work has occupied the reverend author's spare hours — and 
 many hours that could ill be spared from needful rest and 
 relaxation — during twenty-five years of his missionary life. 
 We congratulate him now on the beginning of the end — in 
 other words, on the commencement of the issue of his work 
 from the Press ; and we congratulate the Catholic people 
 of Ireland on the same fact." — The Nation. 
 
 " It can hardly be conceived that Ireland, the Island of 
 Saints, is at present the only Christian country that does 
 not possess a history of its own men — that the land which 
 has given so many saints to the world has not worthily 
 recorded their good deeds. This disgrace is about to be 
 lifted from us." — Tralee Chronicle. 
 
 " II obtint acc^s dans les grandes biblioth^ques de Dublin 
 et devint I'ami des hautes personnalites litt^raires de la 
 ville. Depuis il n'a cesse d'ecrise une foule d'ouvrages, 
 tandis qu'il preparait son magnifique travail : Lives of the 
 Irish Saijits, qui abonde en legendes recueillies dans les 
 anciens Actes. — Dictionnaire Biographiqiie des Membres dii 
 Clerge Catholiqiie. 
 
 "The work could hardly be in better hands." — Cashel 
 Gazette. 
 
 " Since the days of Colgan no effort has been made to 
 collect together the history of the three thousand and more 
 holy personages whose lives won for Ireland the title, 
 ' Insula Sanctorum.' Certainly the person who has had 
 the courage and the zeal now to undertake this herculean 
 task deserves well of his country and of posterity." — Catholic 
 Opinion. 
 
 " Le savant auteur * * * longs et importants 
 travaux d'histoire hagiographique, dont 11 est a souhaiter 
 (6i)
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 que le public soit bientot mis a meme de profiter." — 
 Jourtial des Savants. 
 
 " Alone and single-handed, with but scant and precarious 
 resources, he bravely projected, and has brought within 
 measurable completion, one of the monumental works of 
 this century, not simply on the Gaelic Church, but in 
 respect of European Christianity." — The Neiu York Catholic 
 News. 
 
 *' As a monument of Irish typography it shall be unsur- 
 passed." — The Bookseller. 
 
 "Such a work, no matter from what point of view it may 
 be regarded, must abound with matter of deepest interest to 
 every one who cherishes a taste for our national history and 
 antiquities ; and, most assuredly, for carrying it out, no one 
 could possibly be better fitted than the Rev. gentleman who 
 has now undertaken the task." — Kilkenny Moderator. 
 
 " The forthcoming work by the learned and gifted Father 
 O'Hanlon will literally unlock a hidden treasure." — Clare 
 Freeman. 
 
 " This extensive work, now quite ready for publication, 
 only awaits a full list of one thousand subscribers to issue 
 from the press." — Catholic Times. (Liverpool.) 
 
 "The terms of subscription have been marvellously 
 moderate, and payment of it made as easy as could by 
 possibility be expected." — Galway Vindicator. 
 
 "Father O'Hanlon has earned the gratitude of all Catho- 
 lics in his efforts to resuscitate the records of the lives and 
 labours of Ireland's long roll of saints, and his work deserves 
 the appreciation of a liberal patronage in this country as in 
 the old."— T//^ Irish World. (U.S.A.) 
 
 " It is quite unnecessary for us to say anything about 
 Father O'ilanlon's qualifications for the pious task he has 
 undertaken ; for his name is too familiar both to the Irish 
 and American public to need any further introduction to 
 them. " — Leinster Independent. 
 
 "' The Lives of the Irish Saints' is a publication, which 
 has already reached its eighth octavo volume, and it has 
 won too much praise from the erudite to need any fresh 
 commendation." — The Catholic Times. (Philadelphia.) 
 
 " He has accomplished his portion of a solemn duty, and 
 it rests now with the pastors and people of this country to 
 accomplish theirs." — Waterford Ne^vs. 
 
 " The work is published in numbers to suit the con- 
 (62)
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 venience of subscribers. It is beautifully illustrated, and 
 highly recommended by our patriotic Archbishop. For 
 sale at the ' Ontario Catholic Book Store,' i6 Francis 
 Street, Toronto. Price per number, 40 cents. Sent free 
 by mail." — Irish Canadian. 
 
 "The press of the United Kingdom speaks of the work 
 with the highest respect and commendation, and in America 
 its appearance has been hailed with marked favour." — 
 Wexford People. 
 
 "The first part of Mr. O'Hanlon's Lives of the Irish 
 Saints gives promise of a book of great research, learning, 
 good taste and archaeological interest." — The Union Re- 
 view. 
 
 " We have gone through this volume very fully, and have 
 found it interesting and instructive. Of course we do not 
 look upon its contents in the same light as our Roman 
 Catholic countrymen do, and our religious belief forbids us 
 receiving many statements in connection with the lives and 
 labours of Irish Saints, whom we, as Protestants, claim as 
 having been of a faith more in harmony with our own than 
 with that of the Roman Catholic Church. But, apart from 
 these considerations, Irishmen like ourselves look back with 
 pleasure and with pride upon that period when Ireland was 
 emphatically the ' Island of Saints,' when in her monasteries, 
 great public colleges, the virtues of religion were cultivated 
 and grouped with the study of literature and art, preparing 
 missionaries and commissioning them to carry the Gospel 
 to England and Scotland, and to very many parts of the 
 Continent of Europe. These being our feelings, formed 
 from the authentic testimony of history, we have no scruple 
 about reading the work of an educated Roman Catholic 
 clergyman, whose labours attest great scholarly attainments, 
 deep and varied research, and patient perseverance in a 
 department of literature over which few would be disposed 
 to pore, and fewer still be qualified to collect and arrange 
 the materials. * * * Now, as to the Introduction itself, 
 it occupies clxxvii closely printed pages royal octavo, and it 
 is a valuable repertory of hagiology, proving the richness, 
 the abundance, and the distribution, of the materials from 
 which the Saint History of Ireland must be written. What 
 the Menologias did for the Greek and the Acta Sanctorum 
 for the Latin Church, Calendars and Martyrologies and 
 other records did for the Irish Church. In the fifth, sixth,
 
 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 and seventh centuries there were, and still are, writings of 
 St. Patrick, Benignus, and many others. In the eighth, 
 ninth, tenth, and eleventh centuries, the writers were 
 numerous. * * * * We now come to notice fuller 
 details than we have seen before of the eminent persons 
 who founded religious houses in Ireland. And first in the 
 list is St. Fanchea, Abbess of Ross Oirther, or Rossorry. 
 She was daughter of Conall Dearg, Prince of Oriel, and 
 was born at Rathmore, in the vicinity of Clogher. * * * * 
 That our country formerly possessed many eminent persons 
 — eminent for their piety and learning — cannot be denied. 
 They may not have been, and very likely were not, all that 
 their admirers say ; but they were pre-eminent in their day, 
 and they earned for our country the title of ' Island of 
 Saints.' Their memory is done justice to in the volume 
 before us, which is very neatly got up, and bears evidence 
 to the research and ability of the Rev. John O'Hanlon, to 
 whom the labour must have been a labour of love, or he 
 never could have got through it so successfully." — The 
 Belfast News- Letter. 
 
 *' Mr. O'Hanlon's labour and research give him claim to 
 the support of Celtic antiquaries, without difference of 
 religion." — The Graphic. 
 
 " Mr. O'Hanlon is well known as an eminent hagiologist, 
 and some of his previous works have been reviewed most 
 favourably by French as well as home reviewers." — 
 Bedfordsh ire Tim es. 
 
 "But one opinion can be formed on the subject, that 
 Father O'Hanlon will supply a want, which, while there 
 has been an excuse for not supplying before, it would be a 
 disgrace to have neglected any longer." — Catholic Review 
 (U.S.A.) 
 
 " This valuable work will prove that many English and 
 Scotch Saints, eminent for learning and piety, went to 
 Ireland, and became so famous there, that both churches 
 and parishes bear their names to the present day ; whilst 
 Irish saints, in still greater number, came to England and 
 Scotland, planting the Faith, and founding churches and 
 great educational establishments in those kingdoms." — 
 Westminster Gazette. 
 
 '• Many of the readers of the Catholic UnioUy doubtless, 
 are aware that the great Catholic and National work under- 
 taken by Rev. John O'Hanlon, M.R.I.A., is in course of 
 
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 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 publication in Dublin. Some thirty odd numbers of the 
 
 • Lives of the Irish Saints ' have already appeared, and the 
 work promises to be one of the most important contribu- 
 tions to the ecclesiastical and antiquarian literature of 
 Ireland. * * * Besides its hagiological value, it will 
 also prove a copious mine of information on the subject of 
 the history, antiquity, topography, and traditions of the 
 
 * Island of Saints and Scholars.'" — Catholic Union{\J.S.A..) 
 
 " Rev. John O'Hanlon, who will be remembered by many 
 of our Catholic readers as an earnest and devoted missionary, 
 at one time stationed in this Statej but now an active 
 minister in the archdiocese of Dublin, and a distinguished 
 ornament of the Irish priesthood, announces the early com- 
 pletion of an elaborate and important work, on which he 
 began in St. Louis, over twenty-five years ago. It is entitled 
 the ' Lives of the Irish Saints,' and embraces a complete 
 history of Irish hagiology." — Missouri Republican. (U.S.A.) 
 
 ** Many things are required to constitute a good standard 
 work in the ordinary acceptation of the term, foremost 
 among which is, of course, the subject and mode of treating 
 it ; and next, the perfection attained by the publisher in 
 printing, illustrating, etc. That the subject chosen by Mr. 
 O'Hanlon is of the last importance to Irishmen at home 
 and abroad no one will deny ; and that the publishers have 
 done much to raise the character of this country for beauty 
 and accuracy of type, and for most superior engraving, a 
 glance at the present number will sufficiently prove. The 
 engravings are particularly beautiful, and what is of interest 
 to us, are the work of Irishmen. Indeed we do not 
 remember to have seen so perfect and elegant a publication 
 issued at any previous time from the Irish Press. * * * * 
 To chronicle the Lives of the Irish Saints is a task beset 
 with peculiar difiaculty ; because, in the first place, the 
 manuscripts that could elucidate these lives have to a great 
 extent been destroyed, or are scattered at wide intervals 
 through the libraries of Europe ; and in the second place, 
 because that in the long dark night of our country's miseries, 
 fable and legend became frequently entwined with true 
 history, rendering it now a herculean labour to separate the 
 chaff from the wheat. The delicacy and tact displayed by 
 our author in dealing with this portion of his work are 
 worthy of every praise. He does not push rudely aside the 
 venerable fable with a sneer at the credulity of bygone ages, 
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 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 as the clever and caustic Csesar Otway would have done ; 
 but he treats it as we are wont to treat reduced gentlemen 
 in society — with a certain air of respect for sake of the 
 prestige they once enjoyed. * * * * in turning over 
 the pages of the ' Irish Saints,' we can comprehend how 
 our country was formerly known as the * Insula Sanctorum,' 
 for every mountain and valley, every city and hamlet, every 
 desert and solitary place, boasted of a saintly hermit, a holy 
 abbot, a spotless virgin, or a zealous bishop ; and now, as 
 under our author's guidance we turn to gaze through the 
 shadowy bygone ages, the prophet's vision of the valley of 
 dry bones seems realised again, and the Saints of old appear 
 once more to live, and look, and watch, and pray, as they 
 did in Ireland's golden past. Nor does Derry rank last in 
 the bead-roll of sainted celebrities. In the present number 
 we find an interesting sketch of one of its early religious, 
 one, too, who has stamped his name in an indelible manner 
 on our local history, in giving title to an entire parish. 
 Among the engravings is one of the old church of this Saint 
 at Tamlagh Finlagan." — The Derry Journal. 
 
 " It includes likewise the acts of early British, Saxon, 
 Cymri, and Scottish Saints, who are venerated as patrons 
 in Ireland, as connected with their Irish missionary career." 
 Catho/ic World. (U.S.A.) 
 
 " Canon O'Hanlon has just issued the 85th part of his 
 * Lives of the Irish Saints.' It brings his great work down 
 to the 1 8th of August, the feast of St. Daigh or Dega, of 
 Inniskeen, in Co. Louth." — IVie Irish Monthly. 
 
 "Already eight volumes of the 'Lives of the Irish 
 Saints' have been published, and as the plan of the work 
 has included acts and notices of the Saints, and com- 
 memorative of their several festivals, given in the Irish 
 Calendars and Martyrologies, and drawn from various 
 other sources, according to the usual arrangements found 
 in the great collections of Acta Sanctorum; so each of 
 Canon O'Hanlon's volumes takes in a whole month, and 
 he proceeds in the mensual order of days, from the first to 
 the last, while the life of each Saint is registered on that of 
 his chief festival, and his minor festivals are again distin- 
 guished, in like manner, whenever they occur. This work 
 is therefore a systematic and complete cyclopedia of Irish 
 Saint-History. The first volume takes in the month of 
 January, and it comprises an Introduction to the whole, in 
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 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 172 large and closely printed royal octavo pages, and after- 
 wards follow the different biographies under the heading of 
 numbered articles for each subject, from pp. i to 624 — thus 
 constituting it a very thick volume. In a similar way, the 
 month of February — saints and festivals — is continued in 
 a volume of 736 pages. Volume the third, for the month 
 of March, as containing the most extensive and exhaustive 
 Life of St. Patrick hitherto published, is the largest of all, 
 containing no less than 1,036 pages. The month of April 
 contains 576 pages ; the month of May, 624 pages ; the 
 month of June 832 pages — many under the Life of St. 
 Columbekiile ; the month of July, 520 pages ; and that of 
 August — the last completed — 512 pages. These eight 
 volumes are elegantly and strongly bound in cloth, bevelled, 
 gilt, and gilt edges, at the published price for the whole 
 set, £'j 17s. 6d., or with plain edges, £^ 13s, 6d. As a 
 work of general reference for the ecclesiastical history, 
 antiquities — and above all — biography, of the Irish Church, 
 this voluminous compilation is indispensable for public 
 libraries, and it has secured a large circulation at home and 
 abroad. Nor is its interest confined to Ireland alone, since 
 in the early ages of Christianity, Irish missionaries spread 
 over England, Scotland, and the different countries of 
 Europe, where their acts and fame have caused them to be 
 venerated in various localities as special patrons. Thus 
 incidentally the ' Lives of the Irish Saints' serve to elucidate 
 the ecclesiastical history of nations far apart, and add largely 
 to the bead-roll of their native hagiology." — Sunday World. 
 
 Omitting various favourable references to the Author's 
 biographies of Irish Saints, since their issue, and to be 
 found in standard works hitherto published. Father Victor 
 de Buck, the very celebrated and learned BoUandist writer, 
 thus closes his most interesting treatise. " L'Archeologie 
 Irlandaise" (Paris, 1 869. Royal 8vo). From the original 
 French these passages have been faithfully translated : — 
 
 " It is an undoubted fact, that if Mr. O'Hanlon's collec- 
 tions were published entire, an immense service must accrue, 
 not alone to the Irish nation, but even to religion. Ireland 
 is now the only Christian country in the world which has 
 not yet issued its complete History of the Saints ; although 
 she has had a host innumerable of holy confessors, and, 
 owing to their example and teaching, Scotland, England, 
 the Low Countries, the north of France, with parts of 
 
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 WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 Germany, have been Christianised, while she has given 
 saintly bishops to the whole of Europe — even to Italy 
 herself — thus deserving the glorious title, Island of Saints^ 
 which still signalises her Catholic instincts among all other 
 nations on earth — and, in fine, she cherishes a sentiment 
 and conviction towards manifesting hereafter a proud posi- 
 tion in the annals of Holy Church ! Russia, Greece, the 
 Scandinavian Provinces, Germany, the Low Countries, 
 England, Scotland, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, etc., 
 have their Saint Histories, oftentimes in multiplied editions. 
 Ireland has scarcely anything of the kind — especially she 
 has nothing of a perfect character. There is no other 
 nation in which the Officia Propria Sanctorum are so 
 scantily provided ; in several of her dioceses the patron 
 saint's festival is celebrated with only common lessons for 
 the second nocturn. How many of her national saints do 
 the Irish people know, even by name, not to speak of their 
 acts ? How many patrons of her parishes are completely 
 unknown? In a word, where has national Hagiography 
 been so thoroughly ignored as in Ireland ? Three centuries 
 of persecution explain this destruction of holy remembrances ; 
 but now, when Catholic Ireland raises her head, and repairs 
 her past misfortunes, can she consign to forgetfulness her 
 purest of all glories? Will she suffer Mr. O'Hanlon's 
 labours — which should exalt her ancient grandeur before 
 God — most unfortunately to perish? Whosoever knows 
 how imperfectly Ireland's printing and publishing business 
 has been organised will have much reason to fear such a 
 result, if the successors of the O'Reillys and Flemings do 
 not extend their patronage to an humble priest, and the 
 author of a collection of Irish Saints' Lives. * * ♦ * 
 "The Irish Saints' biographies present advantages alto- 
 gether special for men of the same race. In those acts may 
 be found the story of their clans, of their mountains, of their 
 lakes, of their rivers, of their parishes, of their crosses, of their 
 chapels — often of their hal)itations — with all that can cherish, 
 exalt, and even hallow patriotic sentiment. Let us hope, 
 at least, that patriotism and religion will speak as effectually 
 in the nineteenth as in the seventeenth century, and that, if 
 in the generosity of two prelates Colgan found means for 
 the publication of his two inestimable volumes, Mr. 
 O'llanlon will not be left abandoned altogether to his own 
 personal exertions." 
 
 (68)
 
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