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PREFACE

TO THE FIRST VOLUME OF THE BEAUTIES OF IRELAND.

WHILST submitting to the public the following sketches towards a history and description of the principal objects of topography in Ireland, I feel encouraged to hope for the indulgence of the reader, from a conviction that I have used, with a zeal of attachment to my subject, every method in my power to obtain original and correct information. But, when we duly remember the injurious neglect which such investigations experienced in Ireland, at periods most favourable to inquiry, it will be readily believed that with this hope is blended a very'painful degree of appre

hension.

This island had no Leland or Camden to snatch from oblivion the architectural character, and the history of ecclesiastical and castellated buildings, in the 16th century, when the fabrics and records of religious institutions afforded subjects of satisfactory research; and when the harsh abodes of our feudal ancestry were only recently abandoned, with the steel encasements of those warriors, and many customs of chivalry and license, offensive to the judgment, but still imperative over the fancy.

Ware, and his continuator Harris, have been said in some measure to supply this deficiency; and their labours, particularly in regard to episcopal history, are established on a firm basis of reputation. But the attention of those learned writers was not directed to topography; and their disquisitions, although assistant in parts, by no means afford a general ground-work of local history.

The Monasticon of Mr. Archdall is an unhappy instance of national indifference to such works, when placed by the side of Dugdale's volumes in the sister island.

In more recent times, since copiousness and accuracy of topographical illustration have been viewed as rational sources of information and amusement, in most parts of the British empire, England has produced histories and extensive descriptions, not only of her principal towns, but even of rural parishes, and villages of no important name. Among the literary labours of the same modern times, Ireland numbers only about one dozen volumes, relating to about half as many counties.

But the age of indifference to works of this description, would appear to be hastening towards its close. The authors of Hibernia Antiqua et Hodierna, and the histories of Galway and Armagh, have produced books calculated to obtain national attention; and it may be confidently hoped that public approbation will encourage the prosecution of similar labours, among many native writers.

The favourable reception of the work termed the "BEAUTIES of ENGLAND and WALES," consisting of "Original Delineations, Topographical, Historical, and Descriptive," induced the design of a similar publication in regard to IRELAND. My attachment to the countryan admiration of its scenery-an ardent curiosity concerning its antient vestiges-and a warm respect for many of its inhabitants, inspirited me to undertake this task; and should deficiencies be ascertained, I trust that I may be allowed to plead these motives in mitigation of critical censure. The favour I solicit at the hands of one, I may hope to receive from the whole of my readers. The nature of the work is so entirely remote from subjects of party feeling, or at least is so when conducted with an honest

intention, that it must be almost superfluous to say I am of no party whatever, as writer of this book. Facts, and not comments, are the chief objects of the topographer's attention.

The most pleasing part of my duty, in these prefatory pages, consists in acknowledgments of those who have favoured me with local information, or have otherwise taken an interest in the procedure of the work.

By many of the nobility of Ireland I was honoured, during the tours and inquiries incidental to this undertaking, with marks of polite attention, entitled to my lasting gratitude. In very few instances was an application, whether made personally or by letter, treated with indifference. I cannot avoid taking the freedom of observing, that the Right Honourable the EARL TALBOT, whilst LORD LIEUTENANT, &c. &c. of Ireland, honoured this work with fostering and very benignant regard.

I must also beg permission to name, and thus publicly to return thanks for, a courteous attention bestowed on the object of my pursuit by his GRACE THE DUke of LEINSTER.

VISCOUNT LORTON was pleased to show his desire of encouraging a work, descriptive of the country in which (happily for his tenants and neighbours) he resides, by ordering me to be furnished with a series of drawings, executed by the very able artist Mr. PEACOCK, representing the principal objects in the vicinity of his lordship's fine demesne.

TO LORD HAWARDEN, and to LORD and LADY CLONCURRY I am under particular obligations, for a hospitable reception at their noble dwellings, and for flattering marks of kindness which are deeply impressed on my recollection.

It is here necessary to state, in the most explicit manner, the extent of iny obligations to COLONEL HERVEY DE

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MONTMORENCY, K. ST. L. author of a learned and curious Inquiry into the Origin and Primitive Use of the Irish Pillar-Tower." This gentleman has unfolded, for the use of the present work, his extensive topographical collections in regard to many of the most interesting counties of Ireland, comprising circumstances of local and genealogical history, the results of laborious research and an intimate knowledge of the country. Although I have rarely adopted his language, or profited by any descriptive parts of his collections, I feel it to be equally a duty and a pleasure to observe that I am indebted to this accomplished topographical collector, for a very large share of the intelligence conveyed, in regard to the local and genealogical history of the following districts:

Dublin (county of, distinct from the city).

Wicklow.

Wexford.

Kilkenny.

Carlow.

Kildare.

King's County.

Queen's County.

Westmeath.

TO WILLIAM SHAW MASON, Esq. whose "Parochial Survey of Ireland" is read far beyond the limits of the island to which it immediately relates, I am highly indebted for the warm and liberal feeling with which he imparted numerous facilities to the prosecution of a work, which he was pleased to deem likely, from its design, to advance, in however humble a degree, the interests of his country.

SIR WILLIAM BETHAM, Ulster King of Arms, is entitled to my best thanks for the personal ardour with which he has forwarded my wishes, and for the distinguished

liberality with which he offered to lay open to me every necessary document in the office of arms.

W. MONCKE MASON, Esq. the erudite author of Hibernia Antiqua et Hodierna, replied to every question submitted to him, with most attentive, politeness, and greatly facilitated my inquiries on many topics.

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To JOHN C. ERCK, A. M. of the First-Fruits office, author of the "Ecclesiastical Register" of Ireland, I am under important obligations, for a readiness of communication upon subjects connected with the office in which he is engaged, conspicuously to the advantage of that depart

ment.

In the library of Trinity College, and in the other libraries appertaining to learned institutions, or of a public character, in Dublin, I experienced every possible mark of attention, bestowed with exemplary politeness.

SIR JOHN NEWPORT, BART. M. P. honoured the object of my pursuit with particular attention; and the same expressions of gratitude are due, in at least an equal degree, to CHRISTOPHER DILLON BELLEW, of Mount Bellew, in the county of Galway, Esq.

To SHEFFIELD GRACE, Esq. whose taste in every branch of useful and polite literature is honourable to himself and ornamental to his country, I am indebted for the use of many drawings and rare books on subjects relating to Irish topography; and for a polite and flattering friendship, created by the work in which I am engaged, and which has led to numerous introductions, of great importance to my local inquiries.

To LIEUTENANT-GENERAL COCKBURNE I am under obligations for many acts of hospitable kindness; for information regarding every subject on which I requested his aid; and for numerous letters of introduction to distinguished persons, likely to afford useful intelligence.

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