PREFACE

This is the first book ever written on the subject. In this respect I am somewhat in the position of a settler in a new country, who has all the advantages of priority of claim, but who purchases them too dearly perhaps, by the labour and difficulty of tracking his way through the wilderness, and clearing his settlement from primeval forest and tangled underwood. On the journey I havo fravollcd, i(\m lighte glinnnercd every step of the way, some of which I havo pointed out for the direction of future explorers. But I have had the advantage of twe safe guides, Dr. John ODonovan, and the Rev. William Heeves, D.D, ; for these two great scho- lars have been specially distinguished, among the honoured labourers in the field of Irish literature, by their success in elucidating the topography of Ireland. To the Rev. Dr. Reeves I am deeply indebted for his advice and assistance, generously volun- teered to mo from the very beginning. He examined my proposed pla" of tho book in the first instance, and afterwards, during its progress through the press, read the proof sheets — all with an amount of attention and care, which could only be appreciated by an actual inspection of the well annotated pages, abounding with remarks, criticisms, and corrections. How in- valuable this was to me, the reader will ui;d jrstand when he remembers that Dr. Reeves is the highest living authority on the subject of Irish topography. My friend, Mr. William M. Hennessy, was ever ready to place at my disposal his great knowledge of the Irisli language, and of Trisli topography. And Mr. OLongan, of the lloyal Irish Academy, kindly lent me some important manuscripts from his private collection, of which I have made use in several parts of the book. I have to record my thanks to Captain Berdoe A. Wilkinson, R.E., of the Ordnance Survey, for his kindness in procuring permission for me to read the Manuscripts deposited in his office. Phoenix Park. And I should be guilty of great injustice if I failed to acknowledge the imiform courtesy I experienced from Mr. Mooney, Chief Clerk in the same office, and the readiness with which both he and Mr. OLawlor facilitated my researches.



CONTENTS.
PART I. THE IRISH LOCAL NAME SYSTEM. PAGE OiiArTER I. — IIow the Mcaiiiugs have been ascer- tained, ....,.] CtiArTEn II. — Systematic Changes, . . .17 CiiAPTEii III. — Corruptions, 47 CiiAPTicR IV.— False Etjmoicgies P9 Chapter V. — The Antiquity of Irish Local Names, . 76 PAET II. NAMES OF HISTORICAL AND LEGENDARY ORIGIN. Chapter I. — Historical Events, . , , , 86 CiiArxER II. — Historical Personages, . . .121 CiiAFTER III.— Early Irish Saints, . . . .142 Chatter IV. — Legends, 159 CiiArxEn V. — Fairies, Demons, Gohlins, and Ghosts, 178 CiiAiTEU Vl.-r-Customs, Amusements, and Occupations, 200 Chapter VII. — Agriculture and Pasturage, . . . 227 CiiAPTEii VIII. — Subdivisions and Measures of Land, . 241 CiJAiTER IX. — Numerical Combinations, . . .


Originally Published in 1901.